GFAFB aids Afghan soldiers with socks

Published April 28, 2010
By 2nd Lt. Anastasia Wasem
319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- In order to prevent Afghan soldiers from suffering frostbite and blisters on their feet during the year, Grand Forks Air Force Base is holding a collection drive for a simple yet effective solution; socks.

The 'Got Socks?' drive will run throughout the month of May in an effort to collect as many pairs of new socks as possible.

This initiative began shortly after Senior Master Sgt. Shannon Rix deployed from Grand Forks AFB on a year-long tour to Afghanistan. As Superintendent at the Kabul Air Corps Training Center, she noticed Afghan soldiers suffering from problems with their feet due to a lack of socks.

"The trainees are expected to march to and from class and participate in drill exercises with no socks and poor quality boots," explained Master Sgt. Israel Hanks, 905th Air Refueling Squadron. "The Grand Forks AFB Top 3 got wind of the situation and decided to get a sock drive going."

Top 3 is looking for new pairs of adult male tube socks in white, grey or black to be donated. Boxes with the 'Got Socks?' logo will be located around base to be used as donation sites.

For more information or questions, please contact Sergeant Hanks at israel.hanks@grandforks.af.mil or (701) 747-3571.