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Even during the early morning, the golden disc of the sun rises high above the horizon. Steadily, the outside temperature claims its third digit and the quicksilver continues its climb.
While most coalition members hurry to get from one facility to the next in search of shade and cool, 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron heating, ventilation and air conditioning technicians brave the heat here every day as they install new AC units on buildings or repair malfunctioning components.
Recently during another blazing hot morning, the teams rushed to move large-diameter metal ducts in place in time for the arrival of a new computer server that will support deployed missions against ISIS.
“Whether its large or small installations, we support the mission directly with what we do,” said Senior Airman Jurel Burton, an HVAC technician and team lead with the 407th ECES. “Our (air conditioning) units, for instance, cool down communication servers and control the heat being generated by the computers. If our AC system was to go out, the server room would get too hot and could cause major equipment malfunctions very quickly. The mission can never shut down, so neither can HVAC.”
Each new construction comes with its own set of complex plans, requiring the teams to juggle a large inventory of unwieldy components into a coherent duct system and mounting them to efficiently distribute cooled air into facilities.
“It’s basically like a big jigsaw puzzle,” Burton said. “We assemble the ducts, seal the system and then electrical comes into play when we hook up the actual cooling unit. Then we power them up and ensure they cool the space efficiently.”
A stressor for the teams is timing. Everybody on base needs temperature control and a project that requires computer systems to be cooled is pressing because a lot of the sensitive equipment cannot be powered before adequate cooling is established.
“You have a definite time limit to our projects,” Burton said. “Other shops need us to start working so we have to finish projects on time to be on schedule with everybody else.”
The large demand for HVAC technicians in the Air Force Central Command area of operations translates into a high operations tempo for Airmen. Burton, like most of his wingmen, has deployed multiple times to bases in the region. May through October are the busiest months, he said, and leave many cooling units laboring hopelessly against the merciless sun. During the high-tide of the season, AFCENT HVAC crews can log in excess of 70 work orders a week.
While some teams work on new construction or larger repairs, a recurring work team ensures regular maintenance is completed and service calls from members around base are answered quickly.
“Morale is a big reason why we are so important,” said Tech. Sgt. Travis Monks, the NCO in charge of HVAC installs with the 407th ECES. “No matter who you are, if you are able to go to bed at night and sleep in a comfortable room when its 120 degrees outside — that’s crucial to Airmen’s wellbeing. But on the mission-essential side, all the computer networks, satellite link and communications equipment requires cooling. Without cooling we’d risk mission failure and that’s not an option. So it’s very important we get it right the first time.”
Some units weigh more than 30 tons and are carefully lifted into place by a crane, which takes uncanny finesse with the unwieldy package units.
“We’ve been doing a lot of package unit change-outs across base,” Monks said. “The challenge is the heat as we work outside for long periods of time. During the summer time you are definitely one of the most popular trades out here. Everybody wants to be your best friend.”
Despite the challenges, for most of the technicians HVAC it’s a job of choice, not chance, and the experts have chosen their career with an outlook on hands-on job skills, career progression and a promising opportunities in a high-demand field in and outside the military.
“When I first joined there were other jobs out there, but I told them I wanted to do HVAC,” Burton said. “You are always going to need cooling, heating or refrigeration — so there is always a demand for us. Plus, I can’t sit in the office all day. I love to get out and do things.”
Not only do the Airmen learn about refrigeration and the mechanical skills, but they also learn about electrical, plumbing and basic structural craftsmanship to fabricate ductwork, stands and other needed items -- translating into technicians that are just as much experts in their field as they are jack of all trades.
“At HVAC we work hard out here,” Burton said. “It’s time-consuming work but we do everything we can to get the work done. Luckily we have a great team - from our NCOIC to the newest Airmen in the shop, everyone knows their role. I don’t know what it is, but we all run on one accord and make things happen.”
| Date Taken: | 05.12.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2017 07:47 |
| Story ID: | 233634 |
| Location: | (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) |
| Hometown: | PORTLAND, OR, US |
| Hometown: | RALEIGH, NC, US |
| Hometown: | RIVERSIDE, CA, US |
| Hometown: | WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, MO, US |
| Web Views: | 51 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Expeditionary HVAC techs keep cool heads in race against rising summer heat, by MSgt Alexander Riedel, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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