MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. — With shovels, skid steers and determination, the 452nd Civil Engineering Squadron is clearing overdue trenches on March Air Reserve Base’s flight line — a critical project that blends mission readiness with hands-on training.
“This trench was for maintenance,” said Staff Sgt. Elvis Lara, a heavy machinery and concrete specialist with the 452 CES. “It’s collected vegetation and water, attracting birds right near the airfield. We’re clearing it out to make the airfield safer and reduce the risk of bird strikes.”
Operating heavy equipment in such a sensitive location requires extensive planning and teamwork.
“You can’t just show up and start digging,” said Tech. Sgt. Marvin Casillas, the project’s noncommissioned officer in charge. “We had to coordinate with environmental management, get digging permits, and make sure we were cleared to work so close to flight operations. Planning is often more challenging than the work itself.”
For the Airmen, the project is as much about readiness as it is about infrastructure.
“This gives us the real-world, hands-on experience we need,” said Staff Sgt. Israel Berber, a pavements and equipment specialist. “Most of us don’t operate this kind of machinery in our civilian jobs. Being here and running equipment helps us prepare for deployments when lives and missions depend on us knowing exactly what we’re doing.”
The team is utilizing a variety of equipment, including excavators, dump trucks and compact track loaders. Berber emphasized the importance of mastering every type of machine.
“The more experience you have with different equipment, the better you are in the field,” he said. “It’s not as easy as it looks. You have to feel the machine, know how it responds, and be able to adjust instantly.”
The squadron expects the project to conclude later this month, but its value goes beyond a clear trench.
“When you see the progress you’ve made, it feels good,” Casillas said. “It’s not just about moving dirt — it’s about protecting aircraft, preparing for deployment, and keeping March mission-ready.”
| Date Taken: | 08.21.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.04.2025 11:59 |
| Story ID: | 546644 |
| Location: | MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 10 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 452nd Civil Engineers Keep March ARB Airfield Safe, Mission-Ready, by MSgt Wendy Day, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
