Photo By Jena Calvitti | Airmen assigned to the 823d RED HORSE Squadron demolish damaged aircraft sun shelters...... read more read more
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When disaster strikes, the 823d Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer Squadron from Hurlburt Field, Florida, is ready to pick up the pieces and restore operations. RED HORSE Squadrons are highly mobile Agile Combat Support units that specialize in global logistics and heavy construction operations throughout the competition and conflict continuum. This includes an element of homeland disaster recovery.
The 823d RHS was called into action after the devastating impacts of back-to-back hurricanes in the southeast, with Hurricane Milton affecting MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and Hurricane Helene impacting Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. “Our ability to support two recovery efforts within 72-hours' notice showcases the critical nature of ensuring that our equipment and personnel are always ready,” said Master Sgt. Romon Estelle, 823d RHS Logistics Flight Superintendent. With the close proximity - not only in location, but in time - the 823d RHS had to split their team to ensure effective recovery of both installations and the broader communities.
“The Legendary 823d RHS is no stranger to disaster recovery,” explained Maj. Nicholas Brown, 823d RHS Director of Operations. “Our unit knows what recovery missions entail and how to posture for them; we have no shortage of eager volunteers willing to support.”
Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida, an area of North Florida where the Panhandle transitions to the Peninsula, on 26 September. The next day, the Air Combat Command formally tasked the 823d RHS to respond to the hurricane on 28 September. For 10 days, the 36-member response team cleared fallen trees from facilities, roads, parking lots, and walking paths in the main cantonment and primary range access roads, and ensured a seamless transition from generator to commercial power.
“The days leading up to the line haul responding to Hurricane Helene were full of uncertainty and intense preparation,” said 823d RHS Mission Support Flight Commander, 2d Lt. Madison Sweeney. “A lot went into strategic planning and execution to support the communities and personnel impacted by the hurricane. I remember standing out in the cargo yard the night before the team was set to depart, watching the equipment preparation and personnel working with a sense of determination and pride. The moment was a culmination of hard work and truly defined what it means to be a part of the legendary 823d RHS.”
After Hurricane Milton’s arrival on 09 October, the 6th CES at MacDill Air Force Base performed damage assessments for two days, and ultimately requested support from ACC, which resulted in the 823d RHS responding by 12 October. Over six days, the 15 Airmen assigned to the effort helped realign approximately 45 leaning electrical poles and started large debris removal. Tech. Sgt. Jason Lewis, 823d RHS Pavements and Construction Equipment Operator, worked as the debris removal team lead at MacDill, and emphasized that the team’s ability to divide and conquer expedited the base’s return to normal operations.
In addition to their swift responses, the 823d RHS leveraged new satellite communication technology to improve the connectivity in areas where traditional communication tools have degraded. Maj. Brown explained that this type of technology “helps keep the team connected and allows us to relay critical information up the chain of command to provide situational awareness during the response.” The tool was vital in the 823d RHS’ response, as the squadron was split into two teams, tackling two different disasters.
Every RED HORSE Airman has one thing in common – the ability to set aside their self-interests to accomplish the mission at hand as a team. In recent years, there have been multiple occasions where RED HORSE Squadrons were deployed to assist with the recovery of an installation and community, like the 554th RHS’ support in recovering Andersen Air Force Base after Typhoon Mawar in Guam. “Having this [recovery of Typhoon Mawar] background information drove the importance of being ready, posturing our assets and people, and ensuring the teams got out the door in a timely manner,” said Master Sgt. Estelle. Additionally, he expressed that his direct involvement in support of the two hurricanes, returning bases to operational status, and having a positive impact on people’s lives, gave him a profound sense of pride in himself, the 823d RHS, and what the red hat symbolizes.
Reflecting on these recovery efforts, Capt. Priscilla Ledesma, 823d RHS Logistics Flight Commander, said, "When all tasked personnel were departing out of the 823d RHS Compound, there was a clear sense of pride from those of us staying back to send them off.” She further described this prideful feeling as “the moment where you knew your mission was clearly being accomplished, and for good reason."
Service can take on many different forms and meanings, but for the 823d RHS Commander’s Secretary, Ellana Power, service means being ready to engage at a moment’s notice without hesitation. “Witnessing this elite team of professionals, who love the mission and who serve without hesitation, makes me proud to be a RED HORSE teammate,” said Power.
“This team has earned the Legendary moniker countless times throughout its storied history, and continues to maintain relevance in supporting our nation’s national security both in our homeland and abroad. Its competency is underpinned by its character and the selfless dedication of our multi-functional warriors,” said 823d RHS Commander, Lt. Col. J. Brandon Balskus.
The 823d RHS spent a total of 16 days helping with the recovery of the installations and local communities affected by these tragic hurricanes. With the ‘team before self’ mentality, the 823d RHS is ready and prepared to support missions anytime, anywhere.
| Date Taken: | 11.25.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 11.25.2024 10:29 |
| Story ID: | 486048 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 23 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Lending a Hand: How the Legendary 823d RHS is Leading Relief Efforts, by Jena Calvitti, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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