Polishing the Pearl

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- Master Sgt. Farrell Thomas, Staff Sgt. Terrob Cook, and Senior Airman Ryan Bruce from the 15th Mission Support Squadron fill trash bags during the April 23 “Polishing the Pearl of the Pacific” clean up. Among their haul were “hundreds” of cigarette butts, numerous recyclable containers and — said a surprised Sergeant Thomas — disposable floss picks. “They believe in hygiene but don’t believe in throwing this away,” he commented holding a sullied pick. “We also found an old car battery, which we promptly turned over to the environmental specialists,” said their commander, Maj. Steven Zubowicz. “I sincerely hope people have a better appreciation in being responsible with their trash and disposing of it properly.” According to the 15th Civil Engineer Squadron, which lead the effort, more than 500 personnel participated in the cleanup, bringing in more that 150 bags of debris and other bulk trash items. The hard work was in preparation for the COMPACAF’s Commander’s Conference. (Photo by Chris Aguinaldo, Hickam Kukini editor)