Message from the 7th BW Commander

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DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Team Dyess,

Many of you have questions regarding the recent closure of the Dyess Fitness Center's indoor pool. The bottom line is that Air Force Instructions (AFIs) require lifeguards at all swimming pools, but as part of the budget cuts we have taken to our morale, welfare and recreation services, the lifeguards are no longer funded. Back in October of last year, we requested a waiver to the governing AFI, and knowing that process would take several months, Brig Gen VanHerck and I approved a series of measures to reduce risk while the issue was being considered, often referred to as the "buddy system."

After a thorough review of our procedures and AF policy, ACC was unable to support our waiver request. Therefore, I immediately ordered the Fitness Center to cease unguarded swimming in the indoor pool. Neither I nor ACC is satisfied with this result. We would like to restore swimming operations in the indoor pool, but I only see three possible ways forward: 1) Find funding for lifeguards, which would most likely come from cutting funds from another area; 2) Advocate for a change to the AFI that would allow unguarded swimming in fitness pools like ours; or 3) Develop a creative solution to this problem that nobody has considered yet. I will continue to pursue option 1, and ACC is helping us explore option 2 by working with HQ Air Force to re-assess the policy for lifeguards at a shallow fitness pool such as ours. I ask for your help with option 3. We have already considered a number of different alternatives for providing lifeguards at the pool, but if you have any ideas about how to solve this problem, I need to hear from you! Please send me your best ideas through your chain of command.

The good news is the main outdoor pool is still scheduled to open for the summer season, and season passes are available now. For those who have signed up for swimming lessons at the indoor pool, we will continue the lessons since the class fees cover the cost of the lifeguards. Thank you for your patience, and keep using the Commander's Corner on the Dyess Facebook page or the Commander's Action line on the website to voice your concerns. Accomplishing the mission and taking care of you and your families are my most important obligations, and I look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Sincerely,
Michael Bob Starr
Commander, 7th Bomb Wing