TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.-- Tyndall Air Force Base opened a designated building for Airmen across the installation to go relax during their time off, Sept. 16, 2022. The 404 Commons, also called the Airmen Commons, is now available for members to go and decompress.
As the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass have recently emphasized, a large priority for the Air Force is taking care of the Airmen who make up our ranks.
“The fight for tomorrow has already begun and it will undoubtedly be fought by many Airmen who are serving today,” said Brown during an interview on the subject.
While the focus of the Air Force is to fly, fight and win, Tyndall continues to accelerate change not only by completing the mission, but finding innovative ways of taking care of the Airmen across the installation.
“We have to be thoughtful on how we are going to retain the best, and how we are going to be the Air Force our nation needs when called upon,” said Bass during an All-Call.
One of the newest projects that Tyndall has completed to successfully accomplish this task is the 404 Commons. With Airmen's quality of life as a priority, a team of Airmen from across the installation set out to create an environment everyone can enjoy.
This new 24-hour facility will offer Airmen fun activities such as, video games, board games, magazines, foosball, table tennis and more. The 404 commons will give Airmen a fun and friendly place to play games and make connections with other members around base.
“This new facility will be a place for the Airmen to relax and take a load off,” said Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Sharp, 325th Fighter Wing command chief, during the facilities grand opening. “One of the most important assets the Air Force has is its people, we need to make sure we are taking care of them”.
With the 325th Communications Squadron offering their former Heritage Hall as the space for the 404 Commons, it was able to be stood up faster, allowing Tyndall to utilize pre-existing space more effectively.
Sharp included at the end of his speech that he will take a personal interest in the Commons and the Airmen who frequent there in order to show his support.
“I am going to start ‘Chief Chat’ if anyone just wants to ask questions,” said Sharp. “Every Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., I will be here for you."
Sharp went on to explain how Airmen can come and ask him questions, allowing every Airmen the opportunity to get to know their leadership more.
Tyndall continues to empower Airmen through providing them the necessary tools to decompress and reset. It is a priority that Airmen have the space needed to reach their full potential as they face the task of driving the mission at the “Installation of the Future.”