LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The Eagle's Wing opened in a new and improved facility recently, offering an even better place for Langley Airmen to spend quality time and meet new people on base.
The upgraded Eagle's Wing features many new amenities, such as a fully equipped music recording room, a poker lounge and a high-tech gaming room, with wireless Internet access throughout the entire facility.
"We now have three times the space we had downstairs in the old location," said Rich Roberts, Langley Chapel Young Adult Ministry coordinator. "It opens up an array of exciting possibilities to provide Airmen a fun and relaxing place to come and spend time."
The benefit of the new space is the ability to incorporate new elements to the experience. "It's blossomed since we've moved upstairs, having all the new space and capabilities," said Mr. Roberts.
The music room features guitars, keyboards, electronic drums, amplification and professional recording hardware, and is open to all Airmen who want to play.
"Everything you see is in response to what Airmen have asked for," said Mr. Roberts. "We asked Airmen what they wanted to do, and there was a resounding request for a music room."
Even Col. Matt Molloy, 1st Fighter Wing commander, got in on the action.
"Colonel Molloy stopped in to visit and loved the progress we've made," said Mr. Roberts. "He even sat at the drums and jammed with some Airmen for a while."
In addition to the music room, the Eagle's Wing features a beefed-up gamers' haven, complete with three high-definition, flat panel televisions, gaming consoles and network access for online gaming.
"This is our most popular room by far," said Mr. Roberts. "Airmen can stop in and play the Xbox or the Nintendo Wii, all while being surrounded by great people in a positive environment."
The influx of new Airmen visiting the center, increasing from around 60 to 100 per week, is expected to increase the operating budget to make the center even more attractive to visitors. Already, scheduled renovations include an expanded café area and fresh paint on the walls.
"We've got a lot of ideas and aspirations for the Eagle's Wing," said Mr. Roberts. "We've got a good start, and we want to get even better."
The Eagle's Wing staff offers free drinks, snacks and meals to visitors, and hopes to expand their service capabilities by adding a full kitchen.
"We couldn't open five days a week downstairs because we couldn't support it with the volunteer base we had," said Mr. Roberts. "Now, we've doubled our volunteer base with all the room we have to stretch out."
Though the Eagle's Wing is run by the Langley Chapel, Mr. Roberts encouraged all to come and enjoy the facility, promoting the atmosphere of tolerance and friendliness.
"We're not here to convert people," he said. "We're here to love and serve them and to be a friend to them. Hopefully, if Airmen have problems, they'll feel comfortable talking to us."
The Eagle's Wing is located on the third floor of the Career Development Center building. Hours of operation are 6-10 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. For more information, call 764-7847.