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    Airmen Enjoy Training, Benefits of Air National Guard Service

    CE in Oklahoma

    Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Heaton | Staff Sgt. Christopher Underwood observes as Senior Airman Arron McClure installs a...... read more read more

    OKLAHOMA, UNITED STATES

    06.21.2023

    Story by Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Heaton 

    127th Wing   

    An opportunity to work in the construction trades and, eventually, retirement benefits are among the key motivators for two members of the Michigan Air National Guard’s 127th Civil Engineer Squadron.

    Senior Airman Arron McClure and Staff Sgt. Christopher Underwood were part of a team of about three dozen CE Airmen who participated in a deployment for training for two weeks in June. The team built several houses in Cherokee Nation near Tahlequah, Oklahoma. They were assigned to the Cherokee Veterans Housing Initiative, a three-year project with multiple rotations of National Guard and Reserve units visiting the Cherokee Nation to provide construction assistance.

    On the last full workday of the 127th CES rotation, McClure and Underwood were installing window sills in a house as their team worked to close out their task list. Both Airmen are members of the CE’s “dirt boys” team, heavy equipment operators who typically drive bulldozers, excavators and similar equipment. Once their phase of the work was completed they transitioned to performing other tasks, gaining cross training in other CE disciplines.

    Underwood said the opportunity to learn new skills is part of what motivates him to stay in the Air National Guard.

    “This is way different what I do in my civilian job, so its good to learn new things,” he said.

    Underwood is a truck driver for the U.S. Postal Service in his civilian career. He spent six years in the Army and then transitioned to serve in the 127th Wing just over four years ago. With more than 10 years of service, Underwood said he’s also looking forward to earning a military retirement.

    McClure joined the Air National Guard in 2020. He owns his own construction firm as a civilian and said he decided he wanted to bring his technical skills to service in the ANG as well.

    McClure first enlisted when he was in his early 30s.

    “The comradery is great. I think enlisting when I was a little bit older, I’m able to appreciate it more than I might have when I was 18,” he said.

    McClure said being able to bring his civilian construction skills into the military and share some them with his fellow Airmen has been a positive experience.

    “The benefits, the travel, working with a great group -- it’s a great experience,” McClure said.

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 06.21.2023
    Date Posted: 06.22.2023 10:28
    Story ID: 447688
    Location: OKLAHOMA, US

    Web Views: 72
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN