The goal to ‘Mask an Airman’

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sarah Dowe
  • 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Wearing a mask has become part of everyday life for many people. When mask wear became mandatory in certain locations across the installation, not everyone was able to access them including many Airmen in the dorms.

Seeing a need for more masks to support local Airmen, Judy Peterson, spouse of U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Gregory Peterson, 633rd Air Base Wing command chief, started a Facebook group which quickly garnered attention from community members wanting to help sew masks.

“My wife has united the talented community members to help ‘Mask an Airman’,” said Chief Master Sgt. Gregory Peterson. “Most Airmen in the dorms don’t have access to sewing equipment so the goal is to give them masks to wear in public places.”

As part of the ‘Mask an Airman' effort, over 400 masks have been distributed to Airmen, helping create another line of defense to help protect our warfighters from coronavirus.

“Our goal is to provide one mask for each Airman in the dorms,” said Judy Peterson. “Many members have also provided masks for their spouse’s respective unit.”

When in uniform, masks must adhere to dress and appearance standards, although unit commanders have the authority to relax these standards where necessary. Out of uniform any color and pattern can be worn, leaving the opportunity to get creative.

The CDC, Department of Defense and U.S. Air Force Col. Clint Ross, Joint Base Langley-Eustis installation commander, have advised that cloth face coverings must be worn in public areas, along with hand washing and social distancing, to help prevent contracting the virus and avoiding further spread to others.

For more information go to: www.jble.af.mil/Coronavirus/ or www.cdc.gov.