188th base pool opens
From left to right: Col. Pete Gauger, 188th Fighter Wing vice commander; Chief Master Sgt. Larry Sterling; Tech Sgt. Rachael Parker; Master Sgt. Mark Allen, base pool committee president; and Senior Master Sgt. Vince Prince conduct a ribbon cutting ceremony at the wing’s base pool June 20. The 188th Fighter Wing’s base swimming pool has been around more than most of its members have been alive. One of the first original construction projects at Ebbing Air National Base in Fort Smith, Ark., the 188th’s base pool had fallen on hard times recently and required more than $25,000 in repairs and upgrades in order to meet the necessary requirements to reopen. Thanks to Master Sgt. Mark Allen, 188th base pool committee president, along with several dedicated, hard-working volunteers, the 188th’s pool is now up and running. The 188th held an official ribbon cutting June 20 to officially open the pool. The ribbon-cutting was followed by a wing luncheon, which fostered camaraderie throughout the unit. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman John Hillier/188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)