Last modified Wed., March 25, 2009 - 03:59 PM
Originally created Thursday, March 26, 2009

Spring cleanup spotlights environmental commitment

By MCSN Adam Thomas, Staff Writer

NAS Jax Command Master Chief CMDCM(SW/SS) Jeff Hudson lends a helping hand to remove trash from a retention pond near the Navy Exchange. (Photo by MCSN Adam Thomas)

NAS Jax Sailors and civilians joined forces March 19 during the annual base-wide cleanup. Participants enjoyed warm, sunny temperatures while picking up cigarette butts, paper, cans and other trash that had collected around the base. More than 350 base personnel spent a full morning cleaning up the base, and ultimately removing more than 5,000 pounds of debris.

Several groups, including members from the NAS Jax Environmental Department and Navy Munitions Command, Conus East Division, Det Jacksonville, teamed up to clean up parts of Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park, located across from the NAS Jax Main Gate.

NAS Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby Jr. and Executive Officer Cmdr. Ellis Bowler went on trash patrol along Enterprise Avenue and Mustin Road driving a GEM (Global Electric Motorcars) - one of the station's zero-emissions personal transportation vehicles. "We filled two bags with about 30 pounds of trash," said Bowler.

"I think it's everyone's responsibility to keep the environment clean and this spring clean-up is just the beginning. We should all do our part every day to prevent trash and pollution from impacting the ecosystem," said Scorby.

Sailors from the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Jax join in to help remove trash and other debris as part of the base-wide clean-up at NAS Jax March 19. (Photo by MCSN Adam Thomas)

Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202 Detachment Jax Operations Chief BUCS(SCW) Shawn Fellows said, "We had 51 Seabees pick up trash within our compound and along our fence line. We also collected old lumber, metal posts and concrete chunks along the St. Johns River at Manatee Point. Everyone had a great time for a good cause and we're looking forward to the base shoreline clean-up next month."

Command Master Chief CMDCM(SW/SS) Jeff Hudson helped lead the effort and said, "I'm very impressed with the amount of participation shown by each command. There is no obligation for the commands to come out and help, yet many take pride in their spaces and buildings which spurs them to get involved. The Sailors at NAS Jax show great spirit. We believe in the base and what it stands for, and we take a lot of pride in how it is presented."

At NAS Jax, everyone is doing their part to keep trash and pollution from affecting the environment, but more can be done. Let's all join in to ensure that trash and waste end up in the appropriate receptacles. In the words of the great Woodsy Owl, "Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute!"

Members from Navy Munitions Command Conus East Division Det Jacksonville spent several hours cleaning up parts of Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park to coincide with the NAS Jax Spring Clean-up March 19. (Photo courtesy of Navy Munitions Command)

RP2(FMF) Christopher Johnson leads his shipmates in the clean up of gutters and parking lots surrounding Naval Hospital Jax. (Photo by HM1 Michael Morgan)

BU1 Ginter stashes trash from the shoreline of Manatee Point in Mulberry Cove. (Photo by BU2(SCW) Kasper Causey)

A non-poisonous resident of the Mulberry Cove shoreline keeps a wary eye on the "Cleaning SeaBees" of CBMU-202 Detachment Jacksonville. (Photo by BU2(SCW) Kasper Causey)