Photo By Stephen Hudson | U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers from the 124th Engineer Company, based in Saluda,...... read more read more
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Engineers from the South Carolina Army National Guard engineer units kicked off a two-month Innovative Readiness Training mission at the small airport here, Friday, May 2.
As part of a Department of Defense initiative leveraging military contributions and community resources to multiply value and cost savings for participants. Communities typically provide materials and basic services, while military units contribute personnel and training resources. According to the Department of Defense, IRT missions produce mission ready forces, civil-military partnerships, and stronger communities.
Here in rural McCormick County the Soldiers from South Carolina Army National Guard engineering units are working in two-week stints using their annual training over the next two months to improve the airport. The engineer units from Saluda, Edgefield, Rock Hill and Newberry will each rotate through the site.
U.S. Army 1st. Lt. Cathleen Walker, operations officer for the 124th Engineer Company in Saluda, S.C., is officer-in-charge for two weeks, said she is extremely proud of her Soldiers.
“The Soldiers are doing so great,” said Walker. “We are ahead of schedule.”
Walker explained how the work done during the IRT is improving the Soldiers’ military occupational skills and Mission Essential Tasks Lists while benefitting the local community. The units are horizontal engineers who during a war can be tasked to build hasty runways, as well as anti-tank ditches.
“This is good practice,” Walker said.
While working at the McCormick airport the units will grade the area removing higher elevations, making the surrounding area level with the runway and building swales for drainage.
Using Soldiers from the local area is special, for Mark Warner, director of economic and community development, for McCormick County. Warner added these same units built the airport in the mid-1980s.
“I am thankful for the Guard,” Warner said. “The National Guard’s work will save the county an estimated $3 million.”
Once the IRT is complete, Warner said the county will add new hangers and lighting to the areas improved by the National Guard.
| Date Taken: | 05.20.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.26.2025 14:59 |
| Story ID: | 498503 |
| Location: | SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 76 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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