Quality of life projects funded Published Sept. 19, 2008 By Holly Birchfield 78 ABW/PA Robins Air Force Base, GA -- Sometimes people get what they need just in time. That was certainly the case for the 78th Air Base Wing, which recently received an extra $310,000 from Air Staff to improve the quality of life for Airmen at Robins. Maj. Al Seto, comptroller in the 78th Comptroller Squadron, said the wing received a budgeted $300,000 for quality of life needs earlier in fiscal 2008, but fallout money which came about near the fiscal year's end provided an added bonus to boost quality of life at the base. "We got a tasking from Air Force Materiel Command," he said. "A couple of weeks ago they came out with a call for quality of life issues. We were able to go out to our wing and request requirements that will help with the morale of the troops." Major Seto said the bulk of the money funded new equipment for the Robins Fitness Center. David Quinn, 78th Force Support Squadron director, said the QOL money will enable Robins to further take care of its Airmen, particularly in the areas of fitness, education, family support and the Honor Guard. "Our main fitness center is our most highly utilized operation in the Force Support Squadron," he said. "Equipment, especially cardio and selectorized weight machines are showing wear due to constant use and many have come to a point where it is difficult, slow or expensive to bring them up to an operational level." Mr. Quinn said the extra funds will help Robins replace some of the most worn items, including elliptical machines, treadmills, spin bikes, other highly used cardio and weight training items and game-oriented physical training items for sports like basketball. A portion of the funds will replace aging furniture and shelving that will enhance the library's education and leisure areas. Mr. Quinn said the library will receive the Rosetta Stone Language Learning System with the capacity to have 50 simultaneous users online and a variety of audio books. Two other sources of education, the Professional Development Center and the First Term Airmen Center, will use some of the QOL funds to purchase a quality TV for briefings and general enjoyment during class breaks. Additionally, the centers will receive a bar stool table and chair set and plants to create a more relaxing area for Airmen, Mr. Quinn said. Airmen's families are also going to reap benefits from the additional funds. The 78th Communications Group helped Robins replace aging computers and support research and leisure time education, as well as provide means for library material searches, Mr. Quinn said. The 78th FSS director said the additional funding also enabled the 78th Civil Engineer Group to resurface the Child Development Center playgrounds and focus on quality of life support with huge impacts. A portion of the money also supported the Honor Guard mission, replacing weapons and rifle cases, Mr. Quinn said. "Our Honor Guard must maintain the absolute highest levels of standards of professionalism to serve with dignity those who have served our great country," Mr. Quinn said. Master Sgt. Aaron Rogusky, executive assistant to the 78th ABW Command Chief, said ensuring the quality of life of Airmen and their families helps ensure the quality of Robins' mission. "It's what keeps the motivation up," he said. "We're always looking for ways to improve morale and this is a huge way to be able to get funding for things that improve the quality of life for the whole installation."