MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. - Thirty Airmen from the 184th Civil Engineer Squadron were sent to Ottawa, Kansas, to renovate the Kansas Army National Guard armory as a Deployment for Training May 30 – June 13.
The two-week operation included upgrading the gym, patio, outside drainage system, some of the HVAC and lighting, kitchen and mezzanine.
The CES dispatched Airmen from Operations Management; Engineering; Heating; Ventilation; Air Conditioning and Refrigeration; Electrical Power Production; Electrical Systems; Pavements and Construction Equipment; and Structures.
Two heavy equipment operators from the Kansas Army National Guard, 242nd Engineer Company, Coffeyville, worked hand-in-hand with the 184th CES Airmen to accomplish the project.
“This is the first time I’ve really worked with the Air Force,” said Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Scott, 242nd Engineer Company. “It is different but you become cohesive, and they (184th CES) were a good group of Airmen to work with.”
Not only did the 242nd company bring manpower, they also brought equipment; a 5-yard loader and a grader. Airmen and Soldiers were able to train on the equipment.
Approximately 40 to 60 Soldiers drill at the Ottawa armory of the 250th Forward Support Company.
“The armory was not looking so good before the renovations,” said, Staff Sgt. Ian Saxton, supply sergeant, 250th Forward Support Company. “Since we are a Forward Support Company, we feed a lot of people and needed the space to improve serving time and food quality. Additionally, the Soldiers’ morale will go up since there will be better food and more space to work out in the gym.”
During the project, the working Airmen and Soldiers were surprised by a visit from Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, Kansas adjutant general.
“I’m very excited about the work that is being done in our facilities,” said Tafanelli. “This provides a great opportunity to bring our engineers from the Army and Air National Guard and train together. It is a great success to be able to do that during our annual training period.”
The project was funded by the Department of Public Works under the adjutant general of Kansas through a contract for about $67,500 for materials. Alongside these funds, the Air Force was able to provide the labor, vehicles and fuel.
Maj. Jeffrey Schmitt, 184th CES, logistics officer, said, “We estimated that a contract of this size would cost $300,000. We were able to use our Air National Guard forces to complete the troop-labor project since the 184th CES had annual training days to use for DFT. It benefits both sides.”
“This provides a cost-affordable way to make many of needed improvements to our facilities,” said Tafanelli. “I could see how the Airmen and Soldiers were really excited and engaged about what they were doing.”
“I learned a lot about the other CES units and how each Airman plays an important role in the project,” said Airman 1st Class Carl Hayter-Sirls, 184th CES. “I also had a great experience interacting with the local Army unit. It’s a team effort.”
| Date Taken: | 10.03.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 10.03.2015 16:43 |
| Story ID: | 177991 |
| Location: | WICHITA, KS, US |
| Web Views: | 94 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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