Kentucky Air Guard engineers enhance global capabilities in Japan
Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Civil Engineer Squadron enhanced their operational readiness during a two-week field training assignment here May 17 to June 1.
Working alongside their active-duty counterparts, the Guard Airmen completed 254 training tasks across a broad spectrum of operations, often using equipment not available at home station, according to Senior Master Sgt. Steve Ramge Jr., squadron superintendent.
“This deployment served as an invaluable training opportunity for our Airmen,” Ramge said. “Yokota’s vast expanse of specialized equipment, shops and unique geographical training environment allowed our Airmen to enhance their overall deployment readiness.”
The Airmen trained with six purpose-built vehicles, global positioning system equipment, expeditionary aircraft surfacing systems, fire hydrant back-flow prevention devices and fuel system filtration equipment.
Meanwhile, the squadron’s fire protection specialists took advantage of a unique opportunity to broaden their knowledge of mobile aircraft arresting systems, strengthening their cross-functional understanding of airfield emergency operations.
“Working with our brothers and sisters across CE, our firefighters demonstrated the teamwork, versatility and readiness that define the Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force mindset,” said Master Sgt. Kyle Miller, assistant chief of training for the 123rd Fire and Emergency Flight.
The Airmen also contributed to numerous facility and infrastructure improvement projects across Yokota, Ramge said, completing 12 upgrades that enhanced quality-of-life conditions while strengthening mission support capabilities. Projects included the installation of 15 new air-conditioning units, modifications to dormitory electrical systems, removal of venomous insects from housing, and the restoration of plumbing and drywall in two facilities.
Through a multi-shop effort, the squadron advanced construction of a 70-by-80-foot concrete pad by operating heavy equipment to clear a former playground site. Airmen removed approximately 10 tons of material and leveled the area in preparation for grading and the future construction of a physical training pad.
“The trainings were very hands-on and informative,” said Senior Airman Brayden Randolph, a water and fuels systems journeyman for the 123rd CES. “Our active-duty counterparts did a thorough job at explaining everything while answering any questions we had. They made the environment very welcoming.”
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