Civil engineers build ‘Airmen-Soldiers’ legacy

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Brian Jones
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Throughout Iraq, Airmen are working side-by-side with Soldiers performing what have been traditionally considered Army jobs. Among those blazing a trail for this new culture of “Airmen-Soldiers” are the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Airmen.

The more than 240 combat-trained engineers in the 732nd ECES are assigned to 10 detachments throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Their specialties include firefighting, utility maintenance, heavy-equipment operation, and survey and design drafting.

The Air Force engineers, who are working with the Army, and in most instances in place of Army engineers, have had to adjust to a new mission many of them never thought would be required of Airmen.

“It really gives you a new perspective,” said Tech. Sgt. Paul Tholen, 732nd ECES structural foreman deployed from Kadena Air Base, Japan. “I never expected to be on the front lines. Here, we are.”

“A lot of Soldiers didn’t even know the Air Force had engineers,” said Tech. Sgt. Angel Montalvo, noncommissioned officer in charge of the 732nd ECES heavy equipment section deployed from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.

Their mission often takes them “outside the wire.” Airmen travel in convoys to work and to move supplies. Before arriving at their deployed locations, the engineers spend a month training on convoy operations and how to use various weapons.

“When we go on the convoys, the Soldiers respect (us) a little more,” Sergeant Tholen said. “They know we’re convoy trained. They know we’re Airmen-Soldiers.”

Beyond the confines of a protected base, the engineers have helped Marines repair floating bridges and inspected an Iraqi school and power lines in a local village; however, much of what the Airmen do directly supports Army units.

“We’re here to make life better for the Soldiers,” said Senior Master Sgt. Eric Turner, 732nd ECES Detachment 6 chief of operations.

“It’s a great feeling helping out our Soldiers,” said Master Sgt. Stanley Brown, 732nd ECES Det. 10 superintendent deployed from Nellis AFB, Nev. “I take my hat off to all the Airmen who are really embracing this mission. They are taking situations that are less than perfect and making them better.”

Sergeant Brown recalls one instance when Air Force engineers improved the quality of life of Soldiers at a forward-deployed location by getting their showers working.

“When we let everybody know the showers were up and running, they all clapped,” Sergeant Brown said.

The engineers here are also lending a hand to the force-protection effort. Heavy equipment operators have fortified mortar pits, dug nearly 1,000 feet of trench and built an equal length of protective berm.

“They’ve never said no. They’re chomping at the bit and asking for bigger jobs,” said Lt. Col. Pete Ridilla, 732nd ECES Det. 6 commander. “They are completing jobs that are protecting everybody here and at the same time making Soldier’s lives better.”

When their six-month rotation here ends sometime in November, the 732nd ECES Airmen will be armed with experiences about combat and joint-service operations to pass on to other Air Force engineers.

“Whenever we exercise and practice our wartime skills, it’s really going to hit home,” Sergeant Tholen said.

“We are really working together,” Sergeant Brown said. “We’ve developed some close relationships and are building a bridge of respect between the services.”