Civil Engineering covers a broad spectrum of trades skills, such as plumbing, concrete, construction, heavy machinery, heating, ventilation and air conditioning and much more.
CE Airman of the 185th Air Refueling Wing have been able to hone these skills across the northern border with the Royal Canadian Air Force this month.
“Our mission is to support our Canadian allies in their base maintenance efforts and support them in their transition from the F-18 to the F-35,” said 1st Lt. Bryan Prewitt, 185th CE Squadron Officer.
He explained that since the Canadians are focusing more on their conversion efforts, it opens up opportunities for allies like the 185th CES to take on maintenance efforts at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake, the nation’s largest fighter base.
While Airmen are working on tasks that contribute to annual and upgrade training, they are also strengthening connections and interoperability with their northern allies, he said.
Canadian and American Airmen worked alongside each other on military and residential projects including refurbishing a local school into a daycare facility, fixing generators, road grading, tearing down structures and water treatment maintenance, among many others.
Staff Sgt. Brandon Stender, a 185th CES water and fuels systems maintenance specialist, had the opportunity to work at the base’s water treatment plant in addition to regular plumbing tasks.
“Back home, we don’t get a lot of hands-on work with water treatment,” he explained.
“We’ve gotten four good days of experience with their lab techs,” said Stender, “I’ll take this home and talk about it with the others.”
Master Cpl. Barry Haughian, noncommissioned officer in charge of the 4 Mission Support Squadron CE carpentry shop, said that besides job expertise, the Americans brought a more intangible asset.
“Other than their really positive attitudes, they’re all very willing to jump in and do their trade-specific tasks,” he explained.
“I always personally love working with Americans,” Haughian said.
There are far more things the Canadian and American forces have in common was a sentiment echoed by both Stender and Haughian.
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