LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Off-duty and bored? The Langley Community Center is home to a fully functioning recording studio, offers instructional classes and also has televisions, couches and pool tables to help Airmen de-stress and have fun.
The center caters to about 100 Airmen a day and more than 100,000 customers a year. It provides recreational activities, educational opportunities, hosts blood drives and commander's calls, coordinates special events and is dedicated to serving Langley's Airmen.
"The Airmen work very hard maintaining our safety securing our nation, and we like to provide recreation for their off-duty hours," said James Murrell, Langley Community Center program director.
The community center's main focus is staff sergeant and below, but they welcome all other active-duty military, DOD civilians, family members, retirees and guests to take advantage of the programs.
Airman 1st Class Justin Johannes, 1st Aerospace Medicine Squadron medical technician, recommends Airmen go to the community center to network.
"I like going because there's a variety of people. As a med tech I get to meet people outside my career field," Airman Johannes said.
Airman Johannes likes the option of having somewhere to go during his free time. It gets Airmen out of the dormitories and the televisions and pool tables can also help you take your mind off work, he said.
Instructional classes on voice, piano, drums, guitar, dance and five forms of martial arts are offered at the center. All of these classes are available for a minimal fee.
Classes such as Tae Kwon Do are beneficial to Airmen because they help maintain both physical and mental fitness.
"It's just a great stress reliever and it also challenges your mind in ways that you don't have at work," said Tricia Tinnon, a Tae Kwon Do instructor at the community center.
According to Mrs. Tinnon, the amount of calories burned in one Tae Kwon Do session is equivalent to a nine-minute mile run.
The community center is also home to Langley Studio One, a fully operational music recording studio. The studio is half the price of other studios at $50 per two hours. Airmen can record their own music and learn how to use the sound and recording equipment.
It's a common hang out for off-duty troops, for children afterschool and our retiree community. We are always open to new ideas for events and classes to stay current, said Mr. Murrell.
The community center is open Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A list of other upcoming events may be accessed through the Happenings magazine or by calling Mr. Murrell at 764-2983.