Civil engineer Airmen paving way for Iraqi Army

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Dwayne Gordon
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
ALI AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Members of the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron are constructing a 44,000-square-foot concrete drill pad at Camp Mittica, Iraq. The pad will be used for training by the Iraqi Army.

The Air Force was approached by the United Kingdom Brigade forward commander for assistance in standing up the Iraqi Army military training academy.

"Standing up the training academy was purely an Iraqi initiative and the UK commander asked us if we could help move their initiative forward," said Lt. Col. Jani McCreary, 407th ECES commander.

The location of the camp is about 20 minutes from Ali Air Base and is currently being used by the Iraqi Army.

"Camp Mittica was an Italian camp as part of the coalition force before they departed. It is currently an Iraqi officer and noncommissioned officer compound where personnel are training for the Iraqi army," said Master Sgt. Earl Yancey, superintendent of Horizontal Repair.

Constructing a concrete pad of this size can be challenging, and add in some of the unique dangers of being in a combat zone, this job could be overwhelming to some, but not for these engineers.

"There have been numerous challenges accomplishing this project. My major concern is the safety and security of my troops," said Sergeant Yancey, who is deployed here from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. "It is currently an Iraqi training area with Iraqis, who we are told, are friendly."

The work crew is comprised of approximately 15 Airmen. The project began in March with the CE heavy equipment section, known as the "Dirt Boyz" and the utilities section going out to the area and draining water from the site. After that, the Engineering Assistant section did a site survey to calculate the elevations in order to get the proper height for the pad. Then it came time for the "Dirt Boyz" and Structures section to accomplish the earth work, by leveling the earth, installing concrete forms, watering the site and pouring the concrete.

"The thing I love about the "dirt boyz" is that they'll never say a job is too hard," Colonel McCreary said. "The harder it is, the more they seem to like it. And we've also had several other hard working Airmen of all ranks from across CE who have volunteered for security duty, to escort the concrete trucks, or to help place the concrete. This project has really been a team effort."

While the "Dirt Boyz" and the Structures sections primarily focus on working the project, the current work environment calls for constant security. This is where the entire CE squadron lends their support to the project.

The sections that fill these positions are; Electrician, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning, EA, Production Control, Utilities, Pest Management, Power Production, Supply, Fire Department and Readiness.

"Our job is to provide perimeter security so they can concentrate on completing the project," said Airman 1st Class Justin Cruz, Production Control technician and member of the security detail. "It has been interesting providing security; members of the Iraqi military will come over from time to time and watch our guys work. They have been very friendly," said the McConnell AFB, Kan., Airman.

Though the project is coming along, there is another challenge facing the work crew.

"The biggest challenge is the heat. With high temperatures, soil composition and not having the ability to place concrete during cooler hours, we have had a problem with hydration, or lack of it," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Gandy, NCO in charge of Horizontal Repair. "If the concrete loses hydration too fast it causes the concrete to crack. So we spend much of our time keeping the concrete wet, trying to prevent the concrete from cracking."

Working in temperatures that swell over 100 degrees on a daily basis and in an environment that requires constant, vigilant security, one may think that morale would be an issue. But these CE troops push on, they have a mission and the mission will be completed no matter what.

"This project is a starting point for the Iraqi military to begin to get on its feet, get organized and stand up to defend themselves and their country," stated Sergeant Yancey. "Years down the road when I see the Iraqi military on television marching in formation and executing drill and ceremony, I will know all the sweat and hard work paid off and the work of my 'Dirt Boyz' and the 407th ECES accomplished, made a difference."

"I'm really proud of the work our team has done for this project because it directly supports the Iraqi initiative to stand up and provide their own military training so they can become self governing," Colonel McCreary said.

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