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Jungle gym popular hangout for Osan children

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Sheri Kangas
  • 51st Wing Public Affairs
Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea --  Tour normalization for Korea was announced March 1 of this year and many service members opted to bring their families with them as they PCS'd to Osan Air Base. Base agencies responded quickly and the wheels began turning to turn Osan into a family-friendly environment. 

One such endeavor was the Family Entertainment Center added at the MiG Alleys Bowling Center. "This is just the start of a few projects in the works for the families and Airmen here," said Mr. Jesse Diaz, 51st Force Support Squadron director of marketing. 

The Family Entertainment Center, which consists of child-friendly bowling lanes, a jungle alley play structure, the party room and several arcade games, only took three months from conception to completion and cost approximately $60,000. "Some of the work was done in-house which saved the base more than $200,000," Mr. Diaz said. 

The money was a good investment, as feedback for the new additions have been positive. "Families are very excited and having lots of fun when they come to the bowling center. One customer said that words cannot express the excitement in her daughter's face when she saw the kid friendly lanes and the indoor play area," Mr. Diaz said.

The addition of the Family Entertainment Center at the bowling center is part of a multi-phase strategic plan to address tour normalization. "This is a big step for us, as this is a first of its kind in the Air Force, said Col. Thomas Deale, 51st Fighter Wing commander. "We are setting the standard." 

51st FSS personnel stay busy working other tour normalization projects, including a Child Development Center annex, temporary living facilities consisting of 40 rooms, eight of which will be pet friendly, a new enlisted club and a teen center expansion. They've already completed a couple projects including the artificial turf installed on the football field and a play structure installed in the Army and Air Force Exchange Service food court. 

"It will be a long process with lots of work, but if we all stay on target and follow a plan, we will get there," Mr. Diaz said in regards to tour normalization progress. "I feel that we are headed in the right direction with the upgrades and changes and of course we are still taking care of Airmen with new facilities in the work in the coming years."