Sergeant knows how to keep cool

Photo By Paul Mann | Master Sgt. Bruce Burton, 332nd Expeditionary Communications Squadron heating, ventilation and air conditioning technician, uses a volt meter to check amperage and voltage readings of the motors and compressors on a field deployable environmental control unit, or FDECU-5, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. Burton uses his skills as an HVAC technician to maintain the FDECU-5s, which are used to maintain operating temperatures for the communications network. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Paul Mann)  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

10.10.2011

Story by Senior Airman Amber Kelly-Herard 

332d Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- As airmen we all have Air Force specialty codes, but we are also able to use our experience to help our fellow airmen.

When a North Carolina Air National Guard combat communications airman found out he was deploying to a recently opened location, he knew that he would be able to provide help beyond the communications realm.

Master Sgt. Bruce Burton, 332nd Expeditionary Communications Squadron heating, ventilation and air conditioning technician, arrived at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia to provide air conditioning to computer servers. However, with the location just being rebuilt up, there were not as many servers that needed to be cooled, but there were plenty of rooms that needed cooling.

"I piggybacked the (332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron) to help with their backlog of air conditioning issues in sleeping quarters," said Burton, who is a native of Cary, N.C.

In addition to Burton's military HVAC experience, he also works for a commercial HVAC company.

"I knew what I was getting involved in because I could see some of the systems were in bad repair, so I could see it being an issue," said Burton. "The (332nd ECES) was working hard, so I figured I would jump in and help."

Burton fixed about 15 dormitory rooms, to include his own, and many dorms that belonged to day-sleeping members of the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.

"Though Master Sgt. Burton's military job is communications, he used his job skills in HVAC to assist in ensuring our airmen's air conditioners were fixed, which improved the quality of life base-wide," said Master Sgt. Melissa Wheeler, 332nd ESFS first sergeant, who is deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. "His willingness to help is a perfect example of everyone working together to get our location ready for our mission. We didn't just build a base, we built a team."

Wheeler is a native of Indianapolis, Ind.

Due to the location, Burton was able to learn about different HVAC systems.

"These systems have a different voltage because they are European-style voltages and there were some different components, but the equipment all runs the same," he said.

Burton even came prepared with his own tools.

"The tools and parts I had, I shared with the (332nd ECES) if they didn't have them and they shared their tools and parts with me that I did not have," he said.

Now that the location is mostly established, the HVAC work orders have slowed down, but Burton continues to help when he can.

"People from my squadron come to me first if they are having issues and I call the (332nd ECES) and they say, 'Great, go ahead Sergeant Burton, we appreciate it,'" said Burton. "Also, I continue to help them with any calls they may have, we have a great working relationship."

• Date Taken: 10.10.2011
• Date Posted: 10.10.2011 10:44
• Story ID: 78276
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)