An advanced quality of life Published Dec. 8, 2008 By Airman 1st Class John D. Strong II 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The United States Air Force is known for its great quality of life, but Holloman has taken its quality of life to a new level. In late July, Holloman started implementing new quality of life initiatives monthly, many of which have already been set in motion. "The quality of life initiatives were done with the intent of providing opportunities here that don't exist at most Air Force bases," said Maj. Kurt Mencke, 49th Force Support Squadron commander. The Quality of Life initiatives first started with the opening of Lance Lake in the golf course and money being given to the Holloman dorms. Each dormitory on base received $2,000 to use toward quality of life improvements. Since the money was given to individual dorms, each dorm was able to use the money toward whatever they wanted to. In early August, it was announced the Fitness and Sports Center would transform their 1.5 mile track into a PAR course and would also be acquiring a Cross Fit fitness program. Cross Fit became operational Nov. 24 and has since been a popular form of fitness for many Airmen. "Having the Cross Fit program available to Airmen at Holloman has been the highlight of my year," said 1st Lt. Ronald Miller, 49th Force Support Squadron, Fitness and Sports Center officer in charge. "Teaching the classes is an awesome experience and seeing people get excited about fitness again is invaluable." Also in August it was announced Holloman's Apache Mesa Golf Course, all-terrain vehicle/dirt bike track and kids sports facility would all undergo make overs, making them bigger and better. In September, it was announced the base acquired two catamaran boats for sailing and a Frisbee golf course would be the next Quality of Life initiative. The Frisbee golf course will be portable and able to move all over Holloman for tournaments, difficulty levels and for weekend courses. "Frisbee Golf is the type of program that gives us the ability to get families out of the house and active," said Mr. Bradley George, sports director with the 49th Force Support Squadron. "This quality of life initiative will give the families of Holloman another avenue to use for quality family time." October held the final announcements, wrapping up the quality of life initiative program. The month kicked-off with the announcement of the mobile go-kart course. Closing out the quality of life initiatives was the announcement of plans for building batting cages on base. Recently the go-kart course made its debut in a race between the chief master sergeants and colonels on Holloman. "I feel that activities like the go-kart speedway are excellent to the quality of life for us Airmen. I had a blast both volunteering and racing. Since there's not much to do in the local area, it was a nice change to have this right here at my fingertips," said Airman 1st Class Rebecca Burtch, 49th Fighter Wing. The Quality of life initiatives have opened many new avenues of things to do on Holloman. Some are just for fun, some promote physical fitness and all of them play their part in attaining the main goal as said by the 49th Fighter Wing command chief: "Taking care of the Airmen and maintaining good morale are key elements to success," said Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Cui.