JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
U.S. Air Force Airmen and their families attended a three-day cooking class at the Community Commons at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia., Aug 18-20, 2015.
The Community Commons offers classes including guitar lessons, studio engineering, five types of mixed martial arts and dance classes in addition to the cooking class. Also, the commons is preparing to offer jazz exercise classes, violin, piano, drums and other instrument lessons along with other activities for JBLE community members in the future.
"Our military [members] and the people that support our military and their families, work very hard to achieve our mission here," said James Murrell, 633rd Force Support Squadron Community Programs and Information, Tickets and Tours director. "We want to make sure that when they do have free time, they are able to play hard, to enjoy themselves, to build that strong family unit and the camaraderie amongst friends."
Murrell said the class taught participants how to prepare meals for one or two people, how to use fresh meats, vegetables and a wide variety of seasonings, along with cooking and safe food handling techniques.
"We want the Airmen that are taking the classes, to leave here with the ability to use the kitchen," said Murrell. "The purposes of the classes [we provide] are to teach life skills."
U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Vance Joyner, Air Combat Command manpower analyst, attended the classes in hopes to gain new skills and learn healthy recipes.
"[The class] was really good, especially for those that are just coming into the military, specifically the Air Force," said Joyner. "They might have not cooked a lot, so this is giving them tips and tools to start their own recipe book."
The opening of the commons in January 2014 brought multiple recreational and support activities in the same building. Services including the Airmen's Attic, Heidi's Cinderella Closet, community programs and Information, Tickets and Tours office all share space at the commons.
"[Airman can] get tickets, play video games, get free things from the Airmen's Attic, get cheap things from the thrift shop and check out a gown all in the same place," said Murrell. "So, it's really quick and convenient."
Along with classes, the commons also organizes activities for the Single Airmen Initiative program which provides resources for creating a strong culture, mission and sense of community for single Airmen along with Recharge for Resiliency a program which organizes activities and trips for Airmen and families who are affected by deployments.
Murrell said the commons is looking into the future by ensuring the funding is put toward activities that Service members want and enjoy.
"We make sure people are enjoying themselves," said Murrell. "There's nothing more fulfilling than to see military members and their family having a good time. "
For more information, call 764-2983 or visit www.jbleforcesupport.com.