ROME, N.Y. - Despite driving rain and cool temperatures, 10 New York Air National Guardsmen from the Eastern Air Defense Sector cleaned one-and-a-half miles of highway last Saturday, April 23, as part of the City of Rome's Green and Clean initiative.
The EADS volunteers were responsible for Perimeter Road on Griffiss Business and Technology Park. The 10 airmen filled 38 garbage bags and picked up 10 tires along the route, said Technical Sgt. Rob Kryczkowski, EADS Clean and Green volunteer coordinator.
"Picking up garbage and junk tires on a rainy day may not be glamorous, but it's a great way to help the community," said Col. John P. Bartholf, EADS commander. "I commend all of our airmen who participated in this worthwhile effort."
Started in 1991, Rome Clean & Green Inc., is a not-for-profit organization and one of six New York State affiliates of the National Keep America Beautiful program. This year's clean-up day was part of a larger Mohawk Valley Regional Clean and Green Initiative, which was a joint effort of Rome Clean and Green and the Genesis Group of Utica.
The Eastern Air Defense Sector is headquartered at Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome. Staffed by active-duty New York Air National Guardsmen and a Canadian Forces detachment, the unit supports the North American Aerospace Defense Command's integrated warning and attack assessment missions and the U.S. Northern Command's homeland defense mission. EADS is responsible for air sovereignty and counter-air operations over the eastern United States and directs a variety of assets to defend one million square miles of land and sea.