CAMDEN, S.C. — Airmen assigned to the 169th Civil Engineer Squadron, South Carolina Air National Guard from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, conducted maintenance and repair projects at the Wateree Recreation Area in Camden, South Carolina, March 5-8. The effort provided hands-on training while helping maintain facilities used by service members and their families.
During the four-day project, Airmen completed a range of improvements across the property, including cabin maintenance upgrades, roof repairs, debris removal, plumbing work, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning maintenance.
“It comes down to both a training opportunity, as well as an opportunity to better the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation area,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Gareth Fleischer, commander of the 169th Civil Engineer Squadron.“They rely on us to come out and renovate their cabins, repair cabins, do any type of exterior upgrades.”
U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Brandi Duzz, the jobsite officer in charge, said the project provides Airmen with practical training that strengthens both readiness and teamwork.
“It really builds camaraderie for everybody,” Duzz said. “It really just brings us closer together.”
According to Fleischer, the squadron regularly supports maintenance projects at the Wateree Recreation Area. These projects allow Airmen to practice the construction, repair and facility maintenance tasks they may be called upon to perform in deployed environments, helping ensure the unit remains ready to support missions at home and abroad.