Air Force engineers help Soldiers build field bases

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jennifer Lindsey
  • 455th Expeditionary Operations Group Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN) --  From their desks miles away from forward-operating bases, Combined Task Force-Coyote engineers are improving the lives of deployed Soldiers and Marines.

During their five-month deployment here, 11 Airman deployed from Missouri Air National Guard work alongside Army engineers designing buildings, airfields and water-delivery and wastewater-disposal systems.

“When I see Soldiers and Marines returning from the field, it feels good to know they’re going to enjoy a hot shower, flushing toilets and have a comfortable bed to sleep in because of the work we do,” said Lt. Col. Paul Blanzy, a deployed engineer.

For their service supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, Army Maj. Gen. Eric T. Olson, Combined Joint Task Force-76 commander, awarded the Soldiers, Airmen and coalition troops the wartime service patch in a ceremony Nov. 11. Australian, Korean, Polish and Slovakian military engineers also augment the unit.

The Air Force engineers can wear the “combat patch” throughout their deployment. Soldiers awarded the patch have the option to continue wearing the shoulder-sleeve insignia throughout their Army careers. Regulations permitting the Airmen to wear the patch when they return to their duty station are being reviewed, officials said.

With or without the patch, improving the quality of life for deployed troops and Afghans is what keeps these engineers drawing up designs well into the end of the shift some nights, Colonel Blanzy said.

“These guys have never shirked from any job they’ve been given because they know we’re all working for a greater purpose,” he said. “It’s tough at times -- they have careers at home that are on hold and family they miss being away from, but they continue giving 100 percent.”

Some of the Air National Guard engineers, such as Maj. Scott Nall and Capt. Fabian Grabski, will continue designing airfields, and water and sanitation systems after shedding their desert camouflage uniforms for civilian attire at the tour’s end in January. Others, such as Master Sgt. Korey Goldcynski and Maj. Darren Guttmann, will trade their hats for a police officer’s cap and a book on environmental regulations, respectively.

However, no matter how much the Airmen look forward to sharing time with their families, taking a leisurely Sunday drive and visiting the toilet without having to walk a city block, the National Guardsmen said it is an honor to contribute to making the world a safer place.

“Taking care of business overseas, rather than on American soil” is what inspires Sergeant Drake, an engineering assistant, and his co-workers to create plans not only for today’s Soldiers, but for a better tomorrow, he said.

“Look in every direction around you. (These servicemembers are) turning Bagram into what it is today -- a power projection platform from which all that is being done for the people of this country couldn’t have been done without you,” General Olsen said to the troops after he handed patches to 100-plus people in formation. “Building up the infrastructure and transportation routes, (you are) paving the way to a better future in Afghanistan.”

It is that sense of accomplishment that the Air Force engineers said sustains them to continue designing quality-of-life improvements.

“What we’re doing here in support of the global war on terrorism is important,” said Maj. William Morales, an engineer. “Later in life, we’ll tell our grandchildren stories about our service here with pride.”