Red Horse team maintains smooth operations in, out of Kandahar

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Marcus McDonald
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFPN) --  A team of about 20 Red Horse civil engineers from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., are doing their part to keep flights coming in and out of here in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

As part of a $7 million construction project, warfighters can expect to see more than 150,000 square feet of additional ramp space at Kandahar by early 2006.

“The second phase of this project involves placing 6,000 cubic feet of concrete and 1,200 tons of asphalt, which will increase the ramp space here by 151,200 square feet,” said Capt. Kelly McAtee, 1st Expeditionary Red Horse Group project engineer and officer in charge. “We’ve just finished the concrete portion and expect the finished product to be complete in January.”

“The ramp allowed the return of the terminal and ramp space in front of the terminal -- as an international airport -- to the Afghan government in time for the Hajj pilgrimage (to Mecca, Saudi Arabia), which began Dec. 1,” Captain McAtee said.

Soon after their arrival here in July, the Red Horse engineers completed a $2.1 million construction project.

That allowed the British Royal Engineers to construct a 236,400-square-foot concrete ramp for close-air support aircraft.

“My Airmen are doing their part to improve the space we have on the ramp and keep flying missions in and out of here,” the captain said. “It’s great to see the progress they’re making to support U.S. and coalition warfighters on the ground and in the air.”

Staff Sgt. Matthew Couch, a pavements and equipment craftsman, said his job gives him and his fellow Red Horse engineers a sense of accomplishment.

“It’s very important for us to deploy over here and complete our projects in support of this war effort,” Sergeant Couch said. “When we leave Afghanistan, we’ll know we’ve left our mark for generations to come.”

Senior Airman Jared Morris, also a pavements and equipment journeyman, said he enjoys serving his country during this time in history.

This part of the world has never experience freedom,” Airman Morris said. “Freedom is a world endeavor that everyone has the right to.”