One team, one fight: Base CE squadrons join forces, unite

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. R.J. Horstman
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
Barksdale AFB, La. --  The integration of the 917th Civil Engineer Squadron with their active-duty counterpart is being "tested" starting this spring here at Barksdale AFB, La.

There are three lead bases taking part in the "testing process": Barksdale, Hickam AFB, Hawaii, and Travis AFB, Calif.

The Air Force is looking into better ways to integrate reserve members into the total force and to ensure the reserve components get the resources and manpower they need, according to an Air Force press release.

"The integration will not change the mission of either squadron," said Maj. Charles Chapman III, 917 CES commander. "What it will do is enhance the cohesion between the two units."

"2 CES has the equipment and vehicles we need on a monthly basis to train. What we've been doing in the past is just borrowing that equipment," said Col. Kevin Wolfe, 917th Mission Support Group commander. "By integrating, it's going to draw us closer together. The emphasis here is not only for us to borrow their equipment, but to train together with them on that equipment."

This 917th unit is not the first to integrate fully with their active-duty counterpart. The 917th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight joined ranks with the 2d Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight in March 2003.

"The EOD components of both squadrons have integrated so well that most can't tell who is who when they see all of the EOD personnel together," Major Chapman said.

"Several of our Airmen have backfilled for active duty when 2 CES deployed. In fact, we have several Airmen whose civilian jobs are working at 2 CES," he said. "This makes it easy to share resources if needed."

"The fire department component (of the 917 CES) is also well integrated," said Major Chapman. "They are already colocated and share equipment. Many reserve firefighters also work as civilian firefighters at 2 CES."

The active-duty and reserve CES squadrons should have a memorandum of understanding in place by May, describing exactly "what they're going to do, what we're going to do, and what the two of us are bringing to the fight," according to Colonel Wolfe.

In December, Maj. Gen. Del Eulberg, Air Force civil engineer, Headquarters Air Force, will report to Air Staff how the test integration is going. At that time, a decision will be made as to whether the integration will take place throughout the entire Air Force.

"The end strength, what they eventually want to happen, is that our UTCs will be aligned," said Colonel Wolfe. "We'll be training together, working together, so when they task Barksdale CES, they'll know they're getting a mix of active duty and reserve
who are ready to go to war together."

"The squadron integration will formalize and increase the frequency of joint training, said Major Chapman. "In the end, our engineers will have a better understanding of how to maintain a base, and hopefully, active duty will better understand our talents and our mission."