Photo By Master Sgt. Bryan Hull | Citizen Airmen from the 446th Civil Engineer Squadron and Seabee’s from the Naval...... read more read more
Reservists assigned to the 446th Civil Engineer Squadron traveled to Gallup, New Mexico, June 5 to participate in Operation Footprint. The two week training event allowed reservists to construct homes and was involved in every step of the process.
Operation Footprint, a partnership of the Southwest Indian Foundation and the Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training program, provides an avenue for training military members. The training prepares them for wartime missions while at the same time supporting the needs of the local Navajo Nation.
“In the warehouse, they can construct three houses at a time,” said Master Sgt. Jorge Alcala, an electrical systems technician and project lead for the 446th CES. “Each of the houses being assembled is in a different phase of the construction process. After a house is almost complete, a specialized hydraulic truck and trailer transports the house to the location where it’s attached to the foundation.”
Joining forces with Navy Reservists from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 22, Airmen and Sailors alike used the training to gain valuable skills in different areas of construction.
“This training has been important because it provides an opportunity for McChord Reservists to practice their skills and obtain new ones that would not normally be available at Joint Base Lewis-McChord,” said Alcala. “Working with the Navy has also been a very good experience. They have provided us with new ideas and experience that has been very beneficial to our Airmen.”
The training has allowed Airmen to work in many different areas including, preparing the land for a house, pouring concrete for foundations, and building a house from scratch.
“It’s been fun to learn and see the different jobs,” said Airman Basic Hannah Gooding, an operations manager for the 446th CES. “So far I have been able to texture and primer interior walls and I helped lay flooring.”
Not only has the training been beneficial for Reservists, the homes being produced have a significant impact on the local Navajo community.
According to SWIF, the average per capita income on the Navajo Reservation is $6,217. More than 50 percent of the Navajo population on the reservation is below the poverty level, and about 43 percent of the labor force in unemployed.
“The impact that this housing project has on the Navajo community is huge,” said Joseph Esparza, SWIF project office director. “Over 250 homes have been constructed since 1997. These are the poorest of the poor and we get to help those who can’t help themselves. It’s the most rewarding job I have ever had.”
While the project has benefited hundreds on the Navajo reservation, it’s also had an impact on the reservists who built the homes.
“It's not just building houses, its more than that,” said Alcala. “Stepping out onto the reservation, you see how needed these houses are and how important the project is. While it’s a great training opportunity for us, it’s a great contribution to the surrounding community, which has real value.”
| Date Taken: | 06.27.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.14.2016 16:34 |
| Story ID: | 209624 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 42 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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