Photo By Senior Airman Christa Ross | U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Austin Prakongsheepbeltran, an heating, ventilation...... read more read more
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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Austin Prakongsheepbeltran, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technician assigned to the 165th Civil Engineer Squadron, Georgia Air National Guard, is supporting a critical construction project at Puʻuhonua o Waiʻanae, an affordable housing site on Oʻahu’s west side.
The mission is part of Innovation Readiness Training (IRT), a Department of Defense program designed to provide real-world, hands-on training for service members while delivering lasting benefits to underserved U.S. communities.
But for Prakongsheepbeltran, this unique training returned him to his Hawaiian roots.
“It feels amazing to be home and to know that I’m helping impact the place that shaped so much of my early years,” said Prakongsheepbeltran.
Born and raised in Hawaii, Prakongsheepbeltran knows the challenges of living in one of the most expensive states in the nation. His own family eventually relocated to Savannah, Georgia, in search of more affordable opportunities.
“My family moved from Hawaii to Savannah because of how expensive it was to live here,” he said.
“But Hawaii will always be my home.”
That same move ultimately led him to military service.
“I come from a military family—my aunts and my uncles are all service members,” he said.
“I recognize that if I hadn’t moved to Savannah, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I wouldn’t have had the same opportunities.”
Now, through the IRT program, he’s applying his skills in a high-demand environment while helping construct sustainable housing for houseless and at-risk families. The mission provides practical training under realistic conditions, reinforcing technical abilities, operational awareness and teamwork in a real-world setting.
| Date Taken: | 07.09.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.06.2025 15:06 |
| Story ID: | 542400 |
| Location: | OAHU, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 69 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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