CES construction in California

BALTIMORE -- Every year the 175th Civil Engineer Squadron is tasked to complete a deployment for training which takes them to military bases around the world for real-world training. Each base project is assigned to four teams from Prime Beef Squadrons throughout the Air National Guard and all teams will deploy for two weeks at a time consecutively.

The projects on site vary from base to base but the civil engineer mission remains the same; "planning, programming, design, and construction in support of facilities, utilities, airfields, and roadways at each installation" according to Air Force Pamphlet 32-1005.

In the fall of 2011, 175th Civil Engineer Squadron supported the California Army National Guard at Camp Roberts by constructing a concrete pad for the fire station, three range towers and renovating a dormitory.
Lt. Col. Michael McDonald, 175th CES commander, deployed 28 civil engineer members, three augmenters from the 175th Small Air Terminal and one from the 175th Medical Group.

Upon arrival at the site, members settled into the Army National Guard base while the team leads went to visit each construction project at Camp Roberts. They viewed the projects progress and the tools and supplies available to them in order to begin site planning. It was their responsibility to either complete the projects or to continue building while preparing for another team to easily follow behind.

McDonald said, "It was our intent to help the Army and provide the best product possible and get good training in the process." With only ten working days there was a lot of training work to complete. Every morning formation began at 5:30 a.m. They had an hour lunch break onsite and the crew returned to the barracks around 6 p.m.

In the two floor dormitory, Master Sgt. Catherine Burns, 175th CES facility systems superintendent, led the electricians in running wire throughout the second floor and completing the electrical boxes on both floors. Master Sgt. Matthew Clement, 175th CES structures craftsman, and his structures team finished interior framing, construction of new stairs, the installation of fiber glass insulation, fire block and drywall on the first floor.

On the range, Master Sgt. William Sullivan, 175th CES structures craftsman, led a team of three in building a range tower. Nearby, Senior Master Sgt. Mark Anderson, 175th CES utilities supervisor, and Senior Master Sgt. Martin Dulski, 175th CES heavy repairs superintendent, worked on framing two other range towers.

At the base fire department, Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Watson, 175th CES heavy equipment supervisor, led the structures team in constructing a new 14'6" by 40' concrete pad. The construction began with preparing the area by grading, squaring, cleaning and compacting the ground. The team framed and secured the pour the area, and then cut and tied rebar to support the center of the pour. The team filled the pad with 24 square yards of concrete, finished off the top and let it set.

"A total of 2,110 man hours was worked for construction. We left Camp Roberts better than when we got there and Department of Public Works was happy with the progress made. Approximately $500,000 worth of work was saved by Prime Beef's efforts. There was good training and they want us back," said Capt. Dejaun Saunders, 175th CES officer in charge.

Master Sgt. Nathan Sullivan, 175th acting 1st Sgt. stated that working a deployment for training provides "A good morale boost, team comradely and an opportunity to get an understanding of the other career fields as well as receive cross training experience."

"The squadron looks forward to the trips, that's when they bond," said Senior Master Sgt. Stanley Dulski, 175th CES senior NCO in charge.