By U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kris Kennedy
2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment
PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan (April 26, 2013) -- Every year in conjunction with the U.S. Army Safety Awareness month, Fluor, the company contracted to keep U.S. Soldiers and coalition forces fed, as well as the utilities functioning on Forward Operating Base Sharana, recognizes its employees and the community as a whole by putting on a safety "Fun Day."
Fluor employees have a tedious and often under-appreciated role in supporting the coalition forces deployed around the world. This team of professionals faces the day to day challenges of feeding over 5,000 Soldiers and civilians as well as keeping the lights on and the water running. The emphasis on safety and the overall health of employees is paramount within every great company.
The days leading up to the safety fun day were filled with planning, preparations and coordination between Fluor site manager Kim Bryant, 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion and the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment.
According to Bryant, "first and foremost was the idea and wish to have military participation. As we work day to day in support of the military providing base line support, sometimes with but most times without their being aware of what we do for them. This would give all our personnel and the military a chance to meet and mingle."
Fluor presented various safety display boards, each made by a different department. The supervisors for each department judged the displays.
Topics included creative slogans against workplace violence, advocating healthy eating, and overall workplace safety. Display boards made their way to each dining facility for public review. Along with the display boards, the dining facility's sponsored a specialty salad bar where Soldiers and civilians could enjoy a restaurant quality salad for a meal.
The fun day began early with a grueling five kilometer run. Registration and check in with the 2BSTB, sponsors of the event, was at 5:45 a.m. The 2BSTB Command Sgt. Maj., Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Brown, could be heard echoing over the 200 participants as he got the motivation of everyone up for the event.
The day officially began with an opening ceremony in which FOB mayor, Lt. Col. Christopher Wendland, Commander of 2-15 FA, addressed the crowd with remarks and appreciation for the Fluor community.
Following the ceremony, the day progressed with a series of sporting events and static displays. Sporting events included basketball, volleyball, table tennis, horse shoes, bench press, pull-up competition, and a tug-a-war. Static displays ranged from an explosive ordinance disposal demonstration, military police K-9 bite suit demonstration, to a fire department static display and blood pressure booth.
After the sporting events the sponsors hosted a Bar-B-Que. The menu included ribs cooked to perfection, hamburgers, polish sausage, chicken, Texas chili, macaroni and cheese with both corn and banana bread.
"Finger lickin' good!" said Spc. Aaron Jocelyn an intelligence analyst from 2-15 FA.
The day concluded with an awards ceremony. Winners of the sporting events received trophies and medals. Fluor management and Lt. Col. Wendland made closing remarks signaling the end of the day.
The tremendous support from the Soldiers and civilians of FOB Sharana made the event possible and a "teaming" success.
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