JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST -- The Air Mobility Command Test and Evaluation Squadron (AMCTES) held a roadside clean-up for Adopt-a-Highway along Route 68 between mile markers 2 and 3, on June 1, 2022. MSgt Craig Struck, who organized and led the event, said they partnered with Adopt-a-Highway in April 2022 in order to become more involved in the JBMDL community. MSgt Struck also noted the importance of giving back. Because communities show their support for the military, he says, “It’s only right for us to do the same for them, even if it’s something little like taking care of a mile stretch of road outside the base.”
AMCTES is a selectively-staffed squadron representing 29 AFSCs in operations, maintenance, logistics and support. It is a tenant unit of the 87 ABW at JBMDL and has four additional operating locations across the United States. In attendance for the cleanup were 11 members of AMCTES and 1 volunteer from the 605 AMXS. Participants met at mile marker 3 at 9:00 am and canvased both sides of the one-mile stretch of highway for the next 3 hours, collecting nearly 20 full bags of trash along the way. The New Jersey Clean Community contributed vests, gloves, trash bags, reach extenders, road signs, and first aid kits to help make the event a success.
As the group started out, Lt Col Maryann Karlen, Commander of AMCTES, observed, “It’s nice to see the comradery in the unit.” Lisa Elmo-Henske, AMCTES Visual Information Specialist, added, “The squadron is like a family, and we do what we can to support each other and the community.” AMCTES will continue its commitment to excellence as the sole operational test organization of AMC. Their mission and vision is to determine and communicate the operational impact of fielding MAF capabilities by putting proven solutions in warfighter hands. This was AMCTES’ first Adopt-a-Highway clean-up, with the next to planned between the end of July and beginning of August.