Action Line: Parking for expecting mothers

  • Published
  • By Col. John Quintas
  • 48th Fighter Wing Commander
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  COMPLAINT:

This is one of the few bases I have been to where there are no pregnant or family parking spaces available at amenities such as the BX, BXtra, and the Commissary. It aggravates me and other active duty members and spouses that there are no available spots for persons who are pregnant or have children.

It's frustrating to see a capable Airman with no other persons in his or her car park with ease while mothers, fathers and pregnant people drive around looking for a spot, sometimes parking in the back of the lot or in another building's lot altogether.

There are spots for honor guard and motorcycles right at entrances of many buildings, often unused. People driving motorcycles are obviously capable. Why would you allow them special spots, but not those with an extra burden?

Also, there are many spouses, with or without children, who do not know what the "DS permit only" spots are for, and those spots are often left unoccupied because few know they have the option of using them.

I would hope that this base will show more consideration to the spouses who run errands at these facilities who are pregnant or have children, as they seem to do at every other base I have been to.

I sincerely hope I see a change in parking situations soon.

RESPONSE:

Your timing is good on this issue, you happen to have a Wing Commander with a 4 year old and a 1 year old. Yes, my wife and I welcomed our second child into the world right here at RAF Lakenheath just over a year ago. We can definitely sympathize with how challenging it can be to accomplish those things that use to be so easy. And I really felt for my wife when she was pregnant and having to get our daughter in and out of car seats at each errand she had to run.

As you can imagine, I have to be very discerning when offering designated parking. Our lots are very small and there are numerous competing demands. But we deliver an incredible 350+ babies every year in our Lakenheath Hospital, isn't that amazing! Although you'll have to admit, it's not quite as large a population as our 2000+ deployers every year.

Currently, expectant mothers are issued special parking permits for the reserved parking locations at the hospital, greatly benefiting those with appointments. And now, because of your Action Line, I have directed that 1 designated parking spot be made available for expectant mothers at both the BX and Commissary. There will be no special permit required to use these spaces, I am counting on the honor system.

Thanks for looking out for 48th Fighter Wing Moms-to-be.

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