Rocket Lab Airmen 'adopt' piece of Hwy 58

  • Published
  • By Kenji Thuloweit
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

It’s not unusual to see people with bright vests in helmets picking up trash on the side of California’s freeways. They can be California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) workers, volunteers or folks doing their mandated community service as ordered by a judge. On July 22, some of those people wearing the vests were also wearing Airman Battle Uniforms. That’s because Airmen from Air Force Research Laboratory’s Rocket Propulsion Directorate here have signed up for Caltrans’ Adopt-A-Highway program.

“We have a "Mil-Friday" event every once a month at AFRL in which the unit gets together for either team building, community service or educational activities,” said 2nd Lt. Said Ahmed, AFRL Rocket Propulsion Directorate, solid rocket motor developmental engineer. “I decided to try the Adopt-A-Highway program for our community service activities and pitched the idea to our commander.”

The commander agreed. The Rocket Lab is now responsible for taking care of Highway 58 between mile marker 133.6 and 135.6, both east and westbound sides between North Edwards and the exit for Twenty Mule Team Road. Roughly four miles total between the two sections of the highway.

“The responsibilities are pretty simple. Our permit is valid for a year and we are obligated to clean our section at least six times during that year. How often we do so is completely up to us. Since we have our Mil-Friday events once a month, I suggested we do it about every other month. We could even do it more often if the temperature wasn't so hot,” said Ahmed.

All military members of the Rocket Lab are involved. Mil-Friday is a mandatory event for AFRL military so everyone chips in and lends a helping hand. Mission critical activities and leave can prevent some Airmen from participating, but Ahmed says they normally have about 25 members participating.

Caltrans provides vests, trash bags, helmets and some basic highway safety training, including having someone watch the highway while others are working.

“It's important to give back to the community and get involved in service to the people beyond our active duty commitments. Helping to keep the highways clean seemed like a good way to show that we care about our community and environment as a whole,” Ahmed said.

Ahmed said the AFRL crew has come across a broken computer case and discarded drinks, “but nothing totally unexpected.”

“The beer bottles are a bit concerning and I hear people can find some crazy things though, such as money and even wild animals hiding under debris. So far I don't think anyone's found anything terribly exciting.”

Like most who sign up for Caltrans’ Adopt-A-Highway program, the Rocket Lab was issued a sign on the side of Hwy 58, which was installed earlier in the week by Caltrans. However, the completed sign was installed with “Edwards” being misspelled.

“I called them that same day and mentioned the mistake. I was told they'd get right on,” said Ahmed.

Read more about the Adopt-A-Highway program at www.dot.ca.gov/maintenance/adopt-a-highway/index.html.