RED HORSE engineers move full-speed ahead in Peru

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kerry Jackson
  • Task Force New Horizons Public Affairs
AYACUCHO, Peru (AFPN) --  A 64-member team of Air Force civil engineers are making speedy progress here in the completion of several construction projects supporting New Horizons-Peru 2008, a U.S. and Peruvian humanitarian effort to bring relief to underprivileged Peruvians. 

The Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer, or RED HORSE, team -- comprised of engineers from the 820th and 555th RED HORSE Squadrons from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., and the 219th RED HORSE Squadron at Malmstrom AFB, Mont. -- began the construction of a medical clinic and school here in early June. 

While the team was scheduled to complete the projects in late August, and despite the challenges they face, the team has pulled ahead of schedule. 

"We have an amazing group of engineers working on these projects, and I'm not surprised by the quality of their craftsmanship or the speed at which they have completed these projects," said Maj. Matt Joganich, the Task Force NEW HORIZONS commander. "They have proven time and time again that they are the engineers to call on for projects of this magnitude." 

Known for successfully operating in austere locations around world, the RED HORSE team assigned to Task Force New Horizons was faced with a number of challenges including working in high-altitude environments at about 9,000 feet above sea level; transporting construction material and heavy equipment over small and unpaved roads; and locating construction material within the sparse local economy among others. 

"We pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to any situation or environment to complete our mission", said Senior Master Sgt. Shawn Lee, the Task Force New Horizons construction superintendent. "Our team of elite engineers is capable of constructing anything from small and large facilities to airfields anytime and anywhere." 

With the help of the Navy Seabees and Marine Corps engineers, RED HORSE Airmen will construct three medical clinics, two schools, and two water wells that will affect more than 15,000 Peruvians living in the Ayacucho and Huanta regions of Peru. 

The Air Force's RED HORSE squadrons, similar to the U.S. Navy's Seabees, is a highly mobile, self-sufficient team of more than 400 Airmen that are capable of rapidly deploying on short notice in support of contingency and special operations around the world. 

The 14 active duty, Reserve and Air National Guard RED HORSE squadrons Air Force-wide are unique from other civil engineer squadrons because they deploy with their own force protection, finance, medical, supply, food services and vehicle maintenance support -- enabling them to operate self-sufficiently in remote, high-threat environments around the world. 

"RED HORSE represents an incredible force enabling capability, Major Joganich said. "And during this mission we get a chance to put parts of that capability to good use, supporting a good cause." 

New Horizons projects are a physical manifestation of U.S. Southern Command's commitment to enhancing cooperation with the people of Peru and partner nations in Latin America and the Caribbean. Additional U.S. Southern Command humanitarian missions are scheduled to take place this year throughout Central and South America. 

New Horizons is scheduled through Aug. 31. 

To learn more about New Horizons - Peru 2008, visit http://www.12af.acc.af.mil/library/newhorizons.asp. 

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