Courtesy Photo | When Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit the southeast, the 78th CEG at Robins Air Force...... read more read more
Subscribe
Readiness is fundamental to the Air Force mission, ensuring units are prepared to respond effectively to challenges worldwide. In October, the first Air Force Materiel Command Combat Readiness Inspection was underway at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, testing units' ability to perform mission-critical tasks. In the midst of the inspection period, hurricanes Helene and Milton struck the southeast, posing an unexpected challenge. The 78th Civil Engineer Group, alongside fellow units at Robins Air Force Base, were suddenly forced to confront readiness in a different capacity, confronting a new challenge and dedicating themselves to recovery efforts.
Guided by a strong sense of duty, the 78th CEG mobilized quickly to respond. “Our group mission within the Air Base Wing is to support mission partners with the best service possible,” explained Rob Clay, 778th CES Flight Chief of Emergency Management. “Extending that support to external mission partners and communities aligns perfectly with what we do every day.” For the squadron, it’s essential to show civilian communities that they can rely on the installation’s support in critical times. Rising to the occasion, the 78th CEG had an expanded leadership role, coordinating major agencies and resources in the response effort, all while continuing to fulfill their critical responsibilities during the coinciding Readiness Inspection.
The operation demanded swift organization across multiple groups and states. For a total of 17 days, Robins Air Force Base served as a primary Installation Support Base, rapidly mobilizing personnel and resources to meet requests from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Collaborating with the Defense Logistics Agency, the 78th CEG and 78th Logistics Readiness Squadron successfully staged and deployed 77 FEMA fuel and support vehicles, along with four command center vehicles, to deliver critical aid across four hurricane-impacted states.
To execute this level of strategic coordination efficiently, Clay highlighted the importance of assembling a skilled team from various units along with the 78th CEG, including the 78th LRS, 78th Air Base Wing Command Post, 78th Security Forces Squadron, and 78th Operations Support Squadron. “We combined checklist tasks from the Installation Emergency Management Plan 10-2 and the 78th Air Base Wing Reception Plan to receive and stage the support vehicles.”
The implementation of new communications technology played a crucial role in enhancing mission effectiveness. By deploying advanced Wi-Fi connections, the squadron enabled agencies to coordinate plans, assign critical missions, and conduct daily situation briefings efficiently. The advancements ensured seamless operations, allowing support to reach those in need without delay.
During the extended recovery efforts, resilience and motivation came from a deep sense of purpose and confidence within the squadron. Clay shared, “Knowing that we have a team of trained professionals who are always looking for ways to improve brings a special strength to our mission, as each member’s unique talents come together to provide critical assistance while also broadening personal knowledge and skills.” The squadron’s dedication to training and testing their capabilities builds expertise and instills profound confidence in their readiness, creating a wealth of resilience they draw upon in real-world situations. Their commitment to growth and teamwork fuels a shared pride that keeps the squadron moving forward, no matter how challenging the circumstances.
Real-world events like hurricane recovery bring an added level of intensity that goes beyond what typical exercises can simulate. "Events like these take away the safety net, encouraging us to reach farther and truly test our abilities," Clay said. The logistical trials and varied demands of the hurricane response taught the squadron valuable lessons in adaptability and re-emphasized the need for frequent drills, reviews, and after-action evaluations. With every real-world event, the 78th CEG remains committed to identifying areas for refinement, recognizing that growth is ongoing. “Every event is different, and testing our response to new scenarios makes us think harder and perform better. No matter how successful our response, there are always areas to improve.”
The 78th CEG understands that readiness is built by learning and growing from every challenge, embracing adaptability, and strengthening resilience for whatever lies ahead. Readiness is not just a standard to meet, but a promise to be there when it counts most.
| Date Taken: | 11.25.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 11.25.2024 11:23 |
| Story ID: | 486062 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 20 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Ready When it Counts: The 78th CEG Supporting Hurricane Relief Efforts, by Alexandra Broughton, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
