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Commander's Action Line
The Commander's Action Line is your opportunity to get your issues and comments directly to me so I can address them.
Before you call the action line, however, I strongly encourage you to give the unit involved, your first sergeant or commander a shot at resolving the issue. The Iceman Team takes care of its own, but you should give these people the chance to help.
If you're not satisfied with the response or you are unable to resolve the problem, call the action line at (907) 377-6100. Please leave the names and organizations of the people you've contacted who have been unable to satisfy your concern, and I will look into the problem.
Your confidentiality will be respected at all times. Thank you!
Brig. Gen. Mark D. Kelly
354th Fighter Wing commander
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11 Sept 2012
Q: My complaint has to do with the music in the fitness center. Three weeks ago, I walked in and the music was blasting away. I asked if the radio station could be turned off or if the radio station could be changed. I was politely told no, they could not change the radio but I could feel free to fill out a comment card to see if I can change it. Two weeks ago, I walked in and the same radio station was playing away. I asked the young lady at the desk if she could change the radio station or turn it off. She said she did not know; she had to ask her supervisor. I went back, changed my clothes, came out and the same radio station was playing. She was still sitting there playing with her phone. I walked back to the staff office and three individuals there in workout clothes. I asked if the radio station could be changed or turned off. I was told "no, they could not turn the radio off because the customer asked for music." So I asked, "am I not a customer? Don't I count?" The staff stated "oh no, we have to provide music for the customer." So can we change to a different radio station? Oh no, that is the only approved radio station we can play. It's the only one we approved for content, 98.1. I was told to feel free to fill out a comment card. I had, a week ago, and hadn't heard from anybody yet. A young man said he had a solution to the problem. Each room has a volume control. And if you don't want to listen to that radio station, you can turn the radio off. That's not exactly true. You cannot control the music on the running track coming into the cybex room. There is no solution. The AF member rolled his eyes and said "Sir, I tried to help you." Really, that's no choice. I know you can't please everyone. I was told that I could wear a headset. They should be the ones to wear a headset. I don't think it's fair that I have to buy a headset. By the way, I was told I can't bring in a boom box, in case others around me don't like my music. If the base has an approved radio station list, who made that decision and to only allow 98.1 to be played at the base gym?
A: Thank you for your feedback on the fitness center. We apologize for the lack of responsiveness you received from the customer service desk. It is our goal to provide superb service to every customer, and we did not meet that standard. To that end, we are retraining our fitness staff on the fitness center's policies regarding music choice and volume level. We are also retraining our front counter staff on appropriate customer service etiquette, and to answer ICE comments in a timelier manner.
As you are aware, there are few radio stations in the local area and music selection is limited. The fitness center broadcasts 98.1FM because it has the clearest reception. In an effort to appeal to the widest variety of our clienteles' preferences, the fitness center management will conduct a customer survey to determine which station is most requested among fitness center clientele. Unfortunately, the music volume level is not room-dependent; there is only one master volume control for the entire fitness center, with the exception of the HAWC classrooms. Fitness center management will ensure the music volume will be maintained at a level appropriate for a fitness center. Recently, the entire fitness center music system has become non-operable and is currently under repair. We are working diligently with the Civil Engineering and Communication Squadrons to get the music back on line as soon as possible for everyone's enjoyment.
25 July 2012
Q: I want to register a complaint about low flying planes coming through the windy path here in the Cantwell area. I don't think the fighter jets need to be flying down here at 100 feet or 150 feet coming right across top of houses and stuff. We have a small airstrip down here that other little planes land and take on and off in, they have to try and dodge them. Early mornings, people are sleeping; it's very unsafe when they are coming down through here at such a low altitude. I understand they have to do their training. A higher altitude would be better, than you.
A: Thank you for contacting us about this issue. We take safety of flight issues very seriously and I am glad to tell you our investigation--watching digital recordings of each aircraft's cockpit displays and matching them to a separate GPS-enabled instrumentation system--showed these aircraft were operating in accordance with all flight regulations, were never lower than 500' above the ground, and spent the majority of their time between 700' and 1500'. They were in approved airspace for this kind of training and were operating within that airspace's rules.
I understand this kind of activity is not normal for Cantwell and, as you say, there are other ways for us to achieve our training goals. Following this event, the Operations Group commander directed aircraft to avoid this area and remain farther to the east and south of the Alaska Range over unpopulated areas. Additionally, we are looking at taking measures to reduce the effects of our low altitude training on the citizens of Alaska. These efforts are already underway and will be implemented soon.
We value the support we receive from our civilian counterparts and the population of this great state. It is important to me that we continue to foster this positive relationship and ensure we take whatever measures we can to reduce the impact of military flight training on our civil aviation partners and the general populace. Thank you again for bringing this issue to my attention. |
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29 Feb 2012
Q: "I'm concerned about the bases situation. We heard the planes were possibly leaving next year, but when the newspaper said they are printing their last issue, I was even more concerned about how soon.
I also heard that when I went over to the bank to do my business at the BX that Alaska USA was closed and they weren't coming back. So now the base is without a means of doing any banking business. It's an even bigger concern because a lot of the people on base don't have transportation off base to get to a bank. It was widely used by people making change and cashing checks. Why there was no notice of that closure? And is there going to be another means of doing banking on base or transportation off base to get to a bank?"
A: Thank you for your call to the Commander's hotline. I understand that there are a lot of concerns about the recent proposal to move the F-16s from Eielson, but I want to assure you that no final decisions have been made at this point in time, and although there have been some changes at Eielson, these are individual events that are not tied in any way to the proposal.
The decision to discontinue the base newspaper was made months ago, as our base moves forward with technology by providing timely information through our website. A poll found that the majority of our readers preferred to receive their news online. That, paired with the cost of producing and recycling the newspapers, is why the newspaper is no longer being produced.
On Monday, 27 Feb Alaska USA Credit Union (AUSA) located in the BX officially closed their doors. The credit union could no longer maintain a physical branch on base due to lack of revenue. Notice of this closure was posted at the BX Branch for its customers. The credit union maintains ATMs, including one at the BX that has been improved so account holders can now deposit both cash through a currency counter, and deposit checks through a built-in check-photo application. These functionalities along with existing AUSA on-line banking services are meant to perform as the next best thing to their brick and mortar operation.
As to your question of how Eielson residents without transportation will be able to visit local banks, the base has been working with the Fairbanks community to establish a bus service that will stop at Eielson so residents can have transportation to Salcha, North Pole and Fairbanks. This bus service is scheduled to begin 15 March, and information on the transit times will be posted at the BX.
It is a coincidence that all these things are lining up at one time, but it is just that - a coincidence. We continue to move forward to fulfill our mission and to provide the best service possible to our residents.
13 Feb 2012
Q: I have a concerning issue with active duty members utilizing the entire gym/bowling alley parking spaces during physical fitness times. I am a patron/veteran who utilizes the bowling alley quite often, mostly for breakfast; and have to park in the back of the bowling alley. To make matters worse, there are no lights in the back of the bowling alley illuminating the parking spaces.I should not have to park in the back of the bowling alley. I suggest the active duty member's park in the BX parking lot since the BX doesn't open until 10 a.m. I also suggest a bus be utilized to transport all active duty members from their respective squadrons during PT sessions. I am annoyed and do not appreciate the bowling alley's entrance being blocked of it's access.
A: Thank you for your call to the Commander's hotline. I appreciate your feedback as we strive to ensure all of our customers--active duty and civilian alike--are accommodated.
As you know, in today's high operational tempo, physical fitness is a vital cog of the U.S. Air Force lifestyle, which is why I have mandated all active duty Airmen attend bi-monthly Fit Flag sessions at the Fitness Center. Fit Flag sessions are scheduled for 0700-0800 hrs and 1515-1615 hrs every second and fourth Fridays of the month. Because of their proximity to the Fitness Center, parking lots for the Bowling Center, Base Exchange, and Commissary are often filled to near-capacity to support this mandatory formation.
Since these parking areas are public parking lots and not specifically reserved for any particular facility, they are free to be utilized by patrons of any nearby facility. Unfortunately, your suggestion of utilizing busses is impractical due to the time of day for the first Fit Flag session, large number of personnel, numerous work locations, and limited vehicles and drivers.
Although I understand your frustration at having trouble finding a parking spot close to the bowling alley, please understand Fit Flag is only two days per month and is critical to Airmen readiness.
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