Ramstein Airman, Wisconsin Dells native, supports civil engineering ops for Southwest Asia outpost

Photo By Master Sgt. Jenifer Calhoun | Airman 1st Class James Oldenhoff, pavements and construction equipment journeyman with the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, uses a sweeper to clean an area of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing compound at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia, June 12. Airman Oldenhoff is deployed from the 786th Civil Engineer Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and his hometown is Wisconsin Dells, Wisc.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

06.18.2010

Story by Senior Airman Jenifer Calhoun 

380th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airman 1st Class James Oldenhoff is a pavements and construction equipment journeyman with the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron at a non-disclosed base here.

Oldenhoff is deployed from the 786th Civil Engineer Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and his hometown is Wisconsin Dells, Wisc. As a civil engineering Airman with the 380th ECES, Airman Oldenhoff supports civil engineer operations for a deployed wing of more than 1,900 people and a base infrastructure worth millions of dollars.

To do his deployed duties as a pavements and construction equipment journeyman, Oldenhoff is trained in a myriad of skills in the civil engineering career field, his official Air Force job description states. He can construct and maintain concrete and asphalt runways, aircraft parking aprons and roads. He can also operate and maintain heavy construction equipment such as loaders, graders, dozers, backhoes and dump trucks. He operates tractor-trailer combinations and transports construction equipment and materials.

In his official duties and responsibilities, civil engineering Airmen like Oldenhoff plan, construct and repairs airfield pavements, roads, streets, curbs, surface mats, membranes and other improved areas using paving and surfacing procedures, the job description states. They take soil, aggregate, asphalt and concrete samples for laboratory tests and interpret construction drawings and surveys using information such as subgrade contours and grade alignment. They can inspect pavements for surface, base and sub-base damage or defects and repair damaged or defective areas by removing and replacing joint and crack sealant, surface overlays and seal coats. They can also determine material and equipment requirements and prepares cost estimates for construction activities.

Oldenhoff is also trained to determine type and application of equipment to use in various construction, maintenance and repair operations. He operates construction equipment to finish grade, level, slope and compact construction materials and he inspects, lubricates and performs operator maintenance on construction and related equipment. He adjusts and changes attachments on equipment and connects and repairs wire rope rigging to cable-operated equipment. Schedules and coordinates equipment repair and servicing with the vehicle maintenance activity and other servicing facilities.

Furthermore, civil engineering Airmen like Oldenhoff investigate proposed work sites to determine resource requirements and they apply engineered performance standards to plan and estimate jobs. They can also coordinate and plan work requirements with other civil engineering and base agencies and inspect work to ensure quality and compliance with policies, regulations and other publications are followed.

In achieving different skills levels, the job description shows pavements and construction equipment Airmen have to maintain mandatory job knowledge in characteristics, capabilities, operation and maintenance of equipment used in construction and paving. They also have to know about soil types, properties, limitations and compaction methods, soil stabilization, drainage and erosion control, and construction and maintenance of asphalt and concrete surfaces, roadbeds, structure erection, landscaping, safety and environmental concerns and pavement maintenance plans.

The 380th ECES is a unit of the 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Group of the 380th AEW. The wing is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragonlady E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of five groups and 18 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, air battle management, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

• Date Taken: 06.18.2010
• Date Posted: 06.18.2010 10:45
• Story ID: 51606
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)