INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- The Incirlik Air Base First Sergeants council came together to modernize and improve the children's play area at the fitness center, here.

Being fit, focused and ready is a large priority in today's Air Force. Part of the idea behind the new play area is to allow members with children to meet their physical fitness requirements without worrying about dependent care options.

Some improvements that were made included new toys, a TV and a DVD player, which the IFSC assembled. The group also organized in the play area.

"We set out to complete a project that would have a positive impact on the families assigned to Incirlik AB," said Master Sgt Andrew Flora, 39th Operations Squadron first sergeant. "We targeted areas where we have limited opportunities to improve through military funding and appropriation. The play area at the gym looked like it would be a great place where we could help improve the lives of our Airman and families."

The IFSC was unable to use military resources to purchase the play equipment for the gym, so they teamed up with Operation: Care & Comfort to make donations for the project.

The planning and execution took nearly six months from conceptualization to completion.

"This project was (challenging because) doing everything through mail takes a lot of time," said Flora. "We were lucky that nothing was broken and the companies we ordered from didn't ship any of the wrong (items) to us."

The project is greatly appreciated by parents of Incirlik AB, said Senior Master Sgt. Trisha Malec, 39th Force Support Squadron superintendent.

"As a parent of two young children, I appreciate the focus on family quality of life," she said. "This parent and child area strengthens our overall comprehensive airman fitness and allows us to balance, overcome and improve in the daily stressors and changing demands in our lives."