720th Airmen build homes to help locals

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Airmen from the 720th Special Tactics Group are teaming up with the local Habitat for Humanity to build homes for Northwest Florida families in need.

The Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, which serves Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, has moved 28 families into new homes since January.

Hurlburt's special operations Airmen, civilians and family members were responsible for completing four of these 28 homes with work already begun on the fifth house.

"Several of our Airmen participated in recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina," said 1st Lt. Jennifer Snow, deputy chief of intelligence for the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron and the group's Habitat for Humanity coordinator. "When they got back, they wanted to do something to get involved here at home."

That's when Lieutenant Snow called Betty Salter, executive director of Pensacola Habitat for Humanity.

Habitat for Humanity offers a home ownership opportunities to families unable to obtain conventional house financing.

In most cases, prospective Habitat homeowner families make a $500 down payment and contribute 300-500 hours of "sweat equity" on the construction of their home or someone else's home.

"Habitat for Humanity builds homes for people who have had a really hard time," Mrs. Salter said.

"The first three houses we built were hurricane recoveries for families who had lost everything," Lieutenant Snow said. "The homeowners were so appreciative and worked side-by-side with us."

These three houses were completed in three months by nearly 80 volunteers from the 720th STG.

"Starting with only a cement slab, each house takes about three weekends to build," said Senior Airman Mary Smith, 720th STG Habitat for Humanity liaison.

"Once the house is built we will go back to paint and landscape."

Generally 10-15 volunteers show up for each project, and according to Lieutenant Snow, finding willing volunteers to help is never a problem with the 720th STG.

"The volunteers really don't need a lot of encouragement to participate," Lieutenant Snow said. "In the 720th we've got combat controllers and pararescuemen…all you have to do is tell them that someone needs help and they are all ears."

Master Sgt. Thomas Friar, 23rd Special Tactics Squadron first sergeant and a Habitat for Humanity volunteer, believes that volunteering to build houses is about more than getting a few bullet statements for your performance report.

"The best thing is knowing you have played a large part in someone having a decent place to live," Sergeant Friar said. "You miss out on a lot about serving in the military if you only do your job and go home.

"By volunteering for Habitat, you have the opportunity to help someone in need and that has its own rewards."

"The Hurlburt Airmen are wonderful," Mrs. Salter said. "We are ahead of where we would normally be this time of year because of them. They are energetic, healthy and they are ready to work."

But there is always work to be done, more homes to be built and there is always a need for volunteers.

"We go overseas and help people in Iraq and Afghanistan but these are our own people," Lieutenant Snow said. "This is our chance to give back to the local community and say thanks for the support they give us. I encourage other units to get involved."