Shaw Air Force Base Deepens its Roots on Arbor Day

From left, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jimmy Oxendine, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) commander, Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Griste, 20th Fighter Wing command chief, retired Army Lt. Col. Everett Sharpe, South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) community staff forester, Col. Kristoffer Smith, 20th FW commander, Ann Huyler, SCFC Pee Dee Region urban forestry specialist, and Bryan Jobe, 20th CES biological scientist pose for a picture at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Dec. 1, 2023. Shaw AFB leadership, the 20th CES and the SCFC worked together to plant nine white oak trees around the running track to provide shade for runners, help the environment and demonstrate Shaw AFB’s commitment to maintaining a positive environmental impact in the community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)

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Shaw Air Force Base Deepens its Roots on Arbor Day

From left, U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Griste, 20th Fighter Wing command chief, Col. Kristoffer “Smirk” Smith, 20th FW commander, and retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Everett Sharpe, South Carolina Forestry Commission community staff forester, plant a tree during Arbor Day at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Dec. 1, 2023. Celebrating Arbor Day is one of the actions Shaw AFB fulfills to maintain its ‘Tree City USA’ designation. The actions promote environmental awareness and ensure a healthy forestry environment is maintained to purify air and provide a natural habitat for wildlife on the installation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)

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Shaw Air Force Base Deepens its Roots on Arbor Day

U.S. Air Force Col. Kristoffer “Smirk” Smith, 20th Fighter Wing commander, places the new 24-year designation on the ‘Tree City USA’ sign during an Arbor Day celebration at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Dec. 1, 2023. The event commemorates the 24th recertification of the Shaw AFB as part of 'Tree City USA' by maintaining and improving forestry of the base grounds. A healthy tree population on the base aids in better air quality, more natural habitats for wildlife and promotes a healthier impact on the environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)

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Shaw Air Force Base Deepens its Roots on Arbor Day

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Freeman Gleaves, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) operations superintendent, showcases his “DIRT” patch, which is worn by Airmen in the Pavements and Construction Equipment section at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Dec. 1, 2023. The team was responsible for digging holes and planting nine white oak trees on Shaw AFB. Multiple sections within the 20th CES led the way for acquiring, planting and maintaining the trees to reduce the amount of storm-water runoff, which reduces erosion and pollution in our waterways and the effects of flooding. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)

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Shaw Air Force Base Deepens its Roots on Arbor Day

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Everett Sharpe, South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) community staff forester, presents Col. Kristoffer “Smirk” Smith, 20th Fighter Wing commander, with the 2023 Tree City USA designation during an Arbor Day celebration at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Dec. 1, 2023. The SCFC worked closely with the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron to ensure the habitat of Shaw AFB is adequately maintained to qualify for a Tree City designation. Currently, Shaw AFB is one of only two military grounds that are part of Tree City USA in South Carolina. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)

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Shaw Air Force Base Deepens its Roots on Arbor Day

From left, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jimmy Oxendine, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) commander, Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Griste, 20th Fighter Wing command chief, retired Army Lt. Col. Everett Sharpe, South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) community staff forester, Col. Kristoffer Smith, 20th FW commander, Bryan Jobe, 20th CES biological scientist, and Ann Huyler, SCFC Pee Dee Region urban forestry specialist, pose for a picture with a ‘Tree City USA’ flag at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Dec. 1, 2023. Shaw AFB qualifies as part of Tree City USA by maintaining a tree board, a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and celebrating Arbor Day. Being deemed a ‘Tree City’ demonstrates Shaw AFB’s commitment to environmental protection and reducing its environmental impact on natural habitats and the community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)

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Shaw Air Force Base Deepens its Roots on Arbor Day

A ceremonial shovel is used to add a layer of dirt around nine white oak trees planted during an Arbor Day celebration at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Dec. 1, 2023. The trees were brought in from a local nursery to expand Shaw AFB’s tree population which provides food, protection and homes for birds and mammals. As part of ‘Tree City USA,’ Shaw AFB is dedicated to improving and maintaining the natural grounds on the installation to have a positive environmental impact in the community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)

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Shaw Air Force Base Deepens its Roots on Arbor Day

Published Dec. 7, 2023
By Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- From left, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jimmy Oxendine, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) commander, Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Griste, 20th Fighter Wing command chief, retired Army Lt. Col. Everett Sharpe, South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) community staff forester, Col. Kristoffer Smith, 20th FW commander, Ann Huyler, SCFC Pee Dee Region urban forestry specialist, and Bryan Jobe, 20th CES biological scientist pose for a picture at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Dec. 1, 2023. Shaw AFB leadership, the 20th CES and the SCFC worked together to plant nine white oak trees around the running track to provide shade for runners, help the environment and demonstrate Shaw AFB’s commitment to maintaining a positive environmental impact in the community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)

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Shaw Air Force Base Deepens its Roots on Arbor Day

Shaw Air Force Base Deepens its Roots on Arbor Day

Shaw Air Force Base Deepens its Roots on Arbor Day

Shaw Air Force Base Deepens its Roots on Arbor Day

Shaw Air Force Base Deepens its Roots on Arbor Day

Shaw Air Force Base Deepens its Roots on Arbor Day

Shaw Air Force Base Deepens its Roots on Arbor Day