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Deployment for Training keeps civil engineers mission ready

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Patricia F. Moran
  • 145th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NEW LONDON, N.C. --  Airmen from the 145th Regional Training Site (RTS), teamed up with 31 Prime Base Emergency Engineering Force (Prime BEEF) civil engineers from 138th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES), Tulsa, Oklahoma, to participate in a 14 day Deployment for Training (DFT) at the 145th Regional Training Site in New London, N.C.

With a heat index over 100 degrees, Air National Guard civil engineers poured concrete, sweat, and more than 4,000 hours of hard work into several construction projects, completing the exterior shell of a 2,400 square foot services support building and starting the construction on the interior walls. In the future, this building will house the site's fitness center, washers and dryers and linen storage. During this DFT, the team also worked diligently to construct 100 linear feet of concrete sidewalk and install electrical service to the fire training warehouse.

Classroom training was accomplished as well, with two power pro airmen receiving their certification on all areas of the Mobile Aircraft Arresting System (MAAS). This course is essential in order to be able to recover aircraft in all situations in remote austere environments.

DFT is a program that provides contingency type training for airmen to build their civil engineering specialties and give them invaluable hands-on training that cannot be matched in a traditional drill weekend at home station.

"It is hard to find construction jobs where you can employ most trades. That is why the DFT program is so vital." said Master Sgt. Ronald Helms, Jr., 145th RTS supervisor for heavy equipment. 

"The Deployment for Training program gives airmen in the CE community the opportunity to work side-by-side with other National Guard, Reserve and Active Duty units," said Lt. Col. Tim Moran, Deputy Commander and Project Engineer for the 145th Civil Engineer Squadron, Regional Training Site.

"You learn each other's strengths and weaknesses so that when you deploy, you've already established a tempo for getting the job done." said Moran

"As a commander or supervisor, when you get the tasking to deploy, you know the best people to assign to a certain job so you're ready to get the job done the minute you have boots on the ground," stated Moran.

The 145th Regional Training site, one of only four in the U.S., serves a wide range of customers from all branches of the U.S. military (Active, Guard and Reserve), international forces, federal and state law agencies and others. The site and personnel are committed to and capable of supporting both federal and state missions.

As a result of the increase in training there has been a need for new amenities as well as upgrading existing facilities. Having quality facilities and accommodations is important in order to provide quality training opportunities for these units and individuals. The members of the 145th CES continually search for new ways to improve existing facilities, create new training areas and construct buildings to better support the needs of their customers.

According to a recent memo by Gen. Frank J. Grass, Chief, National Guard Bureau, ANG Civil Engineers will be tasked to support enduring missions around the world for fiscal year 2016 and beyond. The National Guard is ... "all in."