Airman’s Council boosts morale

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Heather Stanton
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AFB, N.M. --  The Holloman Airman's Council is an on-base organization that represents the interests and concerns of all Airmen stationed here. 

"The Airman's Council acts as a liaison between the lowest Airmen and highest levels of command," said Senior Airman Adam Boubede, 49th Materiel Maintenance Squadron and Airmen's Council president. "We can ensure complaints and needs, as well as fresh ideas, are heard by the individuals who can take these things into action." 

Not only is the Airman's Council a voice for young Airmen, from airman basic to senior airman, it participates in and plans events to boost base morale. 

"We turned the unused parking lot in front of dorm 457 into an Airmen's Park with a basketball court, horseshoe pit and a sand volleyball court," said Airman Boubede. "We have thrown base-wide parties, such as the St. Patrick's Day party, and lobbied for and ensured cipher locks for common areas in the dorms to reduce vandalism." 

The council has also helped out in the local community. 

"The Airman's Council has done everything from collecting food cans for St. John's Soup Kitchen to face painting at Thanks Team Holloman," said Senior Airman Yaacov Mosly, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron and Airman's Council vice president. "We always have something going on to improve base and community morale." 

Currently the Airman's Council is working to set up a HALO video game tournament, said Airman Boubede. "We also have a few community events coming up to support Alamogordo, like a food drive and Habitat for Humanity." 

The Airman's Council is a non-profit organization; it does not even collect dues from members like other organizations. 

"All the money we make from fundraisers such as gas 'n go's and pancake breakfasts and other donations is almost immediately returned to the base," said Airman Boubede. "It goes to the parties we throw, morale events we support and support for other organizations such as the Middle-2 and Top 3." 

Airman's Council meetings are a great way to get the word out to higher leadership.
In the meetings, Airmen Boubede and Mosly go over current wing events, volunteer opportunities and ongoing projects. 

The meetings are attended by members of the Airman's Council, Chief Master Sgt. Marjorie McNichols, 49th Fighter Wing command chief, representatives from the Middle-2, Top 3 and first sergeant's group as well as many guest speakers, said Airman Boubede. 

Meetings are held every second Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Whispering Sands Community Center, said Airman Mosly. 

Airman Boubede said this past year hasn't been a very active year for the Airman's Council due to the loss of personnel to deployments and separations, but it is always looking for new members to help with getting the Airmen's voice heard by the people who can make things happen.