Joint Base Langley- Eustis, Va. –
Arriving to a new base may create challenges for Airmen trying to find different agencies on base whose locations are important because of the valuable resources they provide.
While trying to get acclimated to their jobs or even settling into their new schedules, it might be hard to carve out time to visit these different agencies. The 480th Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing may have a solution to this issue.
An organized competition in the form of a scavenger hunt and an incentive encourages participants to go to various locations around base to become more familiar with their surroundings as a part of their Crew Resiliency Sustainment Program.
The participants were put in groups and given a base map of Langley Air Force Base with highlighted areas on the map comprised of different agency locations. The Airmen not only had to take a picture in these locations, but were asked to talk to the staff to learn more about the functions of these various agencies.
Agencies such as Housing, which help Airmen learn about and find different housing options on or off base, and Mental Health, which can help Airmen deal with an array of mental and emotional issues, are just some of the resources on base to help Airmen.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Gregg Johnson, 497th Operations Support Squadron flight commander, said this scavenger hunt gives Airmen more knowledge about the physical locations and functions of important agencies on base.
The participants of this scavenger hunt ranged from Airman to staff sergeant, with some having been on base for quite some time and some being fairly new to the base.
“They seemed to enjoy the activity,” said Master Sgt. Trinisha Paxton, 497th OSS flight chief. “There was even feedback about how some of them have been here for years and never knew where to find certain agencies until they completed the scavenger hunt.”
With all of the support offered to Airmen here at Langley, knowing the location and functions of various agencies helps Airmen utilize the services offered, which was what the 480th ISRW hoped to accomplish with this activity.
“I definitely encourage other units to implement something like the scavenger hunt,” Paxton said. “I think the benefit of knowing where these key agencies are physically located makes a huge difference and gives our Airmen confidence in seeking help for themselves and others when it is needed.”