Photo By Senior Airman Ben Cash | Airmen from the 134th Civil Engineer Squadron pose for a group photo during their...... read more read more
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KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, Japan— The 134th Civil Engineer Squadron recently concluded a successful annual training trip June 30-July 13 at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, where they worked side-by-side with active-duty Airmen from the 18th Civil Engineer Group. This collaborative effort highlights the importance of joint training and readiness in the Indo-Pacific region.
During their two-week training period, the 134th CES members immersed themselves in specialized equipment, materials, and techniques tailored for the unique demands of the Indo-Pacific environment. The training focused on enhancing their operational capabilities in diverse and challenging conditions specific to the region.
“The engineering force needs to evaluate how we are training, what we are doing, and what we need to change to become better prepared to fight in this region,” said Col. David Barrett, 134th CES commander. “We elected to have our annual training at Kadena Air Base, which houses the largest CE group in the pacific, the 18th CEG, because it has a lot of resources we need such as Silver Flag sites and contingency equipment we anticipate we will be using during this type of base build up in the region.”
A key component of the training was the hands-on portion with advanced equipment and materials essential for maintaining and improving infrastructure in remote and austere environments. Additionally, the Airmen underwent rigorous readiness training to ensure they are prepared for a wide range of scenarios.
Col. Barrett said accomplishments during this time would be working with equipment they don't have at home station, such as Emergency Airfield Lighting Systems, Up Armored Humvees, Up Armored 10K forklifts and crater repair.
In a significant expansion of their training scope, the 134th CES firefighters engaged in joint exercises with Marines from the Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 out of Camp Foster. These exercises included mass casualty drills, live fire training, and structure fire simulations, providing invaluable experience and fostering interoperability between the services. The collaborative nature of these drills underscored the critical importance of joint operations, preparing all participants to effectively coordinate and respond to emergencies in high-pressure situations.
“Joint training is crucially important given today’s environment,” said Tech. Sgt. Erynn Tauchen, 134th CES firefighter. “Being able to learn and train with other military services makes us more multi-capable and knowing other jobs gives us another tool in our toolbox to make us more versatile when it comes to operations.”
Beyond the technical training, this trip played a vital role in bolstering unit morale and retention. By participating in such dynamic and challenging training environments, Airmen from the 134th CES not only honed their skills but also strengthened their camaraderie and sense of purpose. These annual training opportunities are instrumental in building a cohesive and motivated team, which in turn contributes to the overall readiness and resilience of the Air Force.
“Recruiting and retention is a huge deal in the Air Force and Air National Guard,” said Col. Barrett. “This is an opportunity for the 134th CES to retain our Airmen and build critical skills that we’re going to need in the future. It gives our Airmen the chance to get away from home station, to bond together in this contingency environment, and to get what I call a life experience.”
The successful completion of this training reaffirms the 134th CES’s commitment to excellence and readiness. By continuously enhancing their skills and forging strong inter-service relationships, they are better prepared to face the evolving challenges of the global security environment.
| Date Taken: | 08.04.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 08.09.2024 07:18 |
| Story ID: | 477745 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 91 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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