Team keeps mission cool

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Shad Eidson
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  In today's technology-driven world, computer systems are integral to supporting missions and operations throughout U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility. 

These mission-essential computer servers are kept ready thanks to the constant maintenance and upkeep by the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's heating, ventilation and air conditioning team. 

"Our mission is very important because as soon as something goes down in our area, people call wanting someone to get there and fix it," said Senior Airman Steven Kindle, HVAC team journeyman, deployed from the 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. 

The HVAC Airmen battle extreme temperatures of up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer and, without cooling, the interior of most buildings have the potential to reach 140 degrees inside. 

"When everyone thinks of HVAC, they mostly think about the AC for their room. However, most of the shop's work is to support AC units that control environments for equipment," Airman Kindle said. "When a server hits a certain temperature, it has to be shut down or there is a risk of losing the system." 

The HVAC team is split into two shops working 24-hour days to support operations facilities and personnel living areas. A 37-member main base shop supports more than 400 work and office facilities each with two or more HVAC units controlling the internal environment. A second shop supports the approximately 5,000 AC units found in Coalition Compound and Blatchford-Preston Complex living areas. 

"We work hand-in-hand to support each other's mission areas," said Master Sgt. Lemuel Basa, NCO-in-charge of HVAC maintenance for main base, deployed from the 87th Civil Engineer Squadron at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. 

The second shop gets to focus on the smaller units allowing them to be very efficient at their work, Sergeant Basa said. This is because the main shop handles the variety of AC units needed to support everything from the dining facility walk-in refrigerators to the Combined Air and Space Operations Center computer rooms. 

"There is no room for error for the systems that support mission servers," Sergeant Basa said. "If the servers go down, the mission can't go so we maintain them 24/7." 

The HVAC NCOIC encourages everyone to help support the mission by taking care of their HVAC systems, which means cleaning the filters weekly. It may be routine, but it is especially important in the local, dusty environment and prevents the AC unit from freezing up due to air flow issues, which adds wear and tear and eventually leads to a complete breakdown. 

Additionally, clean filters help the compressor run more efficiently, ultimately producing more cold air. 

"My Airmen have taken great care of the mission and every job out there whether it is an emergency, urgent call or just routine," Sergeant Basa said. "Taking care of the mission is within everyone's capable hands."