Airman handcrafts hockey rink, first in AOR

Photo By Staff Sgt. Desiree Moye | Staff Sgt. Leroy Jackson along with other 386th Expeditionary Communication Squadron personnel, volunteer to prepare the new hockey rink for the ribbon cutting ceremony under the pavilion at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The ceremony will be Saturday, March 8 at 5 p.m., an American vs. Canadian game will commence immediately after. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Desiree W. Moye)  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

03.07.2014

Story by Senior Airman Desiree Moye 

386th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA - "The Rock" is getting an outdoor hockey rink, the first of its kind in a theater location, all thanks to one airman's resourceful idea.

Airman 1st Class Joshua Hanson, 386th Expeditionary Communication Squadron, developed a proposal to construct a near arena-size hockey rink at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

A new gym floor was recently installed in the base fitness center which cannot support long-term hockey games, so a plan was put into play to find an alternative location. After further discussion it was decided to build it at the pavilion near the fitness center.

"We needed a new place and we had a very ingenious airman who developed a great plan that protected the wing's investment," said Col. David Sanford, 386th Mission Support Group commander.

"I brought the idea up to my leadership," said Hanson, "Then presented my plan of execution to all Group commanders of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing."

Hanson assured them he had past carpentry experience and had helped build public skate parks so he was confident about the process.

Construction preparation started Jan. 24, in an old bunker near his job. The bunker became Hanson's workshop and a gathering point for all donated materials and equipment.

With the support of fellow airmen and a Canadian, Master Cpl. Francois Chabot, Camp Canada engineer section carpenter, Hanson was able to bring his rink structure to fruition within a four-week time frame. In addition to volunteer aid, the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron and Camp Canada donated wood and structure fasteners, while a nonprofit charity, "Defending The Blue Line," donated a large amount of hockey equipment.

"This will finally give the hockey community, or people wanting to try hockey, a place to play on a daily basis," said Hanson. "Before we were restricted to the Flex Fitness Center on Friday nights only and had to borrow the Canadians equipment."

The pavilion is centrally located and allows for more spectators opposed to the gym, passerby's' can stop, observe and participate.

"Additionally, the rink is larger than the basketball court and more in-line with regulation," added Sanford.

Aside from building the rink, a few volunteer artists from the communications squadron used their ability to decorate it by creating a special assortment of paintings along the hockey rink perimeter.

Maj. Roberts Sides, 386th ECS commander, was taken aback when he saw the woodworking skills of his airman and all the drawing concepts by civilian contractor Micheal May, 386th ECS client systems technician.

"A1C Hanson's carpentry skill, along with Mr. May's artistry abilities, has made the hockey rink something that folks will be talking about for quite a long time," said Sides.

The ribbon cutting ceremony will be on Saturday, March 8 at 1700, under the pavilion. An American vs. Canadian game will commence immediately after.

"Josh's devotion to this project spilled over to all the volunteers," said Chabot. "I believe that this boost in moral and welfare is essential to our ongoing joint success here."

• Date Taken: 03.07.2014
• Date Posted: 03.07.2014 09:43
• Story ID: 121653
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)
• Hometown: MINNESOTA CITY, MN, US
• Hometown: MINNESOTA LAKE, MN, US