Re-alignment project cuts costs, improves safety

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Staff Sgt. Steven Chalupnik, 820th RED HORSE pavement and construction craftsman, operates a rock crusher, Mar. 27, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The rocks can be used for base course on road construction or landscaping. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. William P.Coleman)
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Re-alignment project cuts costs, improves safety

Posted 5/8/2012

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by Staff Sgt. William Coleman
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

5/8/2012 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- The 820th Red Horse Squadron plans to save the Air Force more than $500,000 dollars while improving training and safety, during the Ellsworth Road re-alignment project.

The re-alignment of Ellsworth Road at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., started April 30, and is projected to be finished by mid-October. The current routing of Ellsworth Road skirts the North end of the Nellis runways, creating a potential safety risk for drivers and pilots. A waiver allowed continued operations, but the re-routing project will put a 2,000 foot buffer between ground vehicles and aircraft on the runway.

To fulfill this need, the 820th Red Horse squadron will do the work at a fraction of the projected cost. The savings start at the rock quarry, where the heavy equipment operators make their own base course, the crushed rock used for road foundations. All steps in making the products are performed by Red Horse Airmen, from blasting the rock off the mountain to crushing the large stones into gravel.

"By producing all the materials in-house, we are able to save the Air Force $200,000 off the top of the project," said Master Sgt. Brandon Mathis, project manager of Ellsworth Road re-alignment.

As the Air Force's pilot unit for asphalt, concrete and quarry operations, the 820th conducts training in these areas for all 14 Red Horse squadrons in the Air Force. The classes provide Airmen with the skills they need for upcoming deployments. During deployments, Red Horse squadrons often provide construction services to developing countries around the world.

During a recent deployment to Suriname, the 820th Red Horse squadron spent four months improving the lives of the local citizens. Tech Sgt. William Mello, 820th Red Horse squadron heavy equipment operator recalls making a positive change for the children there. "We installed new plumbing in several orphanages," said Williams. "We also increased the capacity of two schools by 50 percent and another by 75 percent."

While at home station, the 820th Red Horse squadron contribute their talents to improving structures at Nellis. Working day and night, they will produce all materials and add 10,000 feet, making the travel near Nellis runways safer.