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Oasis reopens to help Airmen unwind

Airman First Class Torrell Grier and Airman First Class Leslie Owens, 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron, play a game of foosball at the Oasis Airman Ministry Center on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., Jan. 26, 2015. The Oasis is a chapel-sponsored ministry center where Airmen can make use of such things as pool and foosball tables, darts, video gaming and cable TV. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lan Kim)

Oasis reopens to help Airmen unwind

Airman 1st Class DeAnaira Preyear, 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron, plays a video game as Debbie Ellgen, the Oasis program coordinator, and Airman 1st Class Madison Nelson, 90th MSFS, watch in the Oasis Airman Ministry Center on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., Jan. 26, 2015. The Oasis is a chapel-sponsored ministry center where Airmen can relax with such amenities as a pool table, foosball table, darts, video gaming, and cable TV (U.S. Air Force photo/Lan Kim)

Oasis reopens to help Airmen unwind

Published Jan. 30, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Malcolm Mayfield
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- The 90th Missile Wing Chapel is reopening the Oasis with a grand opening at 4:25 p.m. Feb. 1, 2014, in the basement of Building 248 on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.

The grand opening will be a super bowl party, held in the Oasis, with full access to the facility.

"For some it will be a place to relax, play and rejuvenate," said Brad Ellgen, Oasis program coordinator. "For others it will be more than that, it will become a place to develop leadership skills, increase in character and maturity."

Providing this opportunity to Airmen is an example of the Warren's chaplains focusing on the Airmen.

"I have a deep rooted passion to engage Airmen in all facets of their lives," said Chaplain (Capt.) Robert Tilley, 90th Missile Wing chaplain. "I felt that the Oasis, due to its location in the dorms, would provide an ideal opportunity to truly get to know and understand Airmen from all walks of life."

This new area opens up other possible avenues for Airmen to enjoy their time stationed in Cheyenne.

"I think its very existence communicates to airmen that the chaplains and leadership of this community cares about them," Ellgen said. "[It's] a place to meet and interact with others--allowing relationships to develop with people they don't already know."

Volunteers make up the majority of the manning the Oasis will receive and Airmen are welcome to join.

"The long-term outlook for the Oasis is to pull in and train up Airmen to play a key part in weekly operations," Tilley said.

The reopened center will provide Airmen a number of opportunities to grow and develop.

"The Oasis will provide opportunities to volunteer and serve other Airmen and the community of Cheyenne," Tilley said. "As an additional extension of the chapel, it will also provide a safe avenue for Airmen to freely discuss and explore elements of their spiritual development during their time at F.E. Warren without fear of reprisal or judgment."

It provides Airmen a multitude of options when looking for entertainment. Some of those include video games, a pool table and a foosball table.

"Airmen don't have to sit alone in their room," Ellgen said. "Come, make new friends, and grow as a person."