'Dirtboyz' keep Balad airfield operational

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Every day, aircraft fly in and out of Balad AB to provide vital support for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Whether F-16 Fighting Falcons, C-130 Hercules or HH-60 Pave Hawks, the airframes are able to approach and depart because of fully operational, well-maintained runways. 

Better known as "dirtboyz," members of the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron pavements and equipment shop work every day to keep the airfield open no matter how challenging it gets. 

"A typical day in the dirt shop would be repairing spalls (holes in the pavement resulting from an attack)on the runway, sweeping the airfield and taking care of any emergency repair that might occur," said Tech. Sgt. Talmadge Markham, pavements and equipment assistant NCO in charge, deployed from Ramstein AB, Germany. "We also work to repair the airfield from mortar attacks. We work a minimum of 12 hours a day, but there's never a set time that's considered close of business." 

Recently, three pavements and equipment shop journeymen were put to the test on how quickly they could repair a portion of the airfield. While out working on a job, Senior Airmen Shawn Cox and Allen Banerian and Airman 1st Class Tim Howell got the call to repair a spall  that was a result of an attack. 

"We were repairing a spall at another location when we heard two loud booms," said Airman Cox, who is deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. "We heard over the radio that there was an explosion by the tower." 

Once the area of the attack was cleared, the dirtboyz were called to go to the site and repair the area, which they completed and had the airfield fully operational again in less than an hour. 

"We went out there and performed an expedient repair job," Airman Cox said. 

The Airmen were recognized and coined for their efforts by Brig. Gen. Robin Rand, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander. 

"We were just performing our everyday duties, but it was special to get recognized," Airman Cox said. 

In addition to airfield repairs, the shop also has many other tasks. 

"We are responsible for pouring concrete, digging trenches for various jobs such as the new electrical lines for the base hospital, and building gravel parking lots for the mudcon (mud condition or rainy) season," he said. 

The dirtboyz also took on the project of revamping the munitions storage area here. The area was plagued by severe drainage problems, which prevented the delivery of weapons to aircraft last rainy season, he said. The efforts of the shop guaranteed the munitions mission could carry on without glitches, and it also saved the Air Force money in contracting costs. 

Despite their long days, the dirtboyz said they enjoy what they do. 

"I like the work we do on deployments because the scope of the jobs are bigger," said Staff Sgt. Ricky Johnson, pavements and equipment craftsman deployed from Charleston AFB, S.C. "Back at home station, it's more maintenance work, but here, you get the opportunity to work jobs like the munitions storage area." 

"I just love the equipment we use," said Airman Howell, deployed from Eglin AFB. "It's great when you can actually look back and see the results of your efforts."