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***image1***Tuesday was a busy day for the 435th Civil Engineer Group, as they put
their best foot forward and vied for the title of best in the Air Force.
The
group, which was nominated for the Society of American Military
Engineers Curtin Award, Air Force Outstanding Engineering Unit, was
evaluated to see if they were the best among the two other large units
nominated: Misawa Air Base, Japan, and Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.
The
evaluation team scoped the group from top to bottom – from the control
tower to underground dumpsters – and everything in-between: emergency
services, explosive ordinance disposal and water and sewage operations,
to name a few.
“We set up a script of six categories we wanted
the evaluation team to see, such as housing, environmental, emergency
services and so on,” said Chief Master Sgt. Rueben Gomez, 435th CEG
superintendent. “We were showing them we’re the best.”
The
script took the team on a 10-hour journey which showcased some of the
best practices from 435th CEG, with many of the company grade officers
and junior NCOs briefing the evaluation team.
“We could have had
colonels and chiefs brief it, but those are the core individuals – the
ones who get it done, make it happen,” said Chief Gomez.
Airmen from throughout the group were confident in the capabilities they displayed for the Curtin team.
“From
the EOD perspective, I think we did well,” said Tech. Sgt. Patrick
Glass, EOD technician. “We put together a scenario with music and
theatrics instead of a static display … it was humorous but
professional, and (the evaluators) seemed impressed.”
The results of the evaluation are expected in early February.
“The
three individuals evaluating us really had poker faces – but we know
they liked the in brief, so we know we had a good start to the eval,”
said Chief Gomez .
The Curtin Award, named for the Air Force
Director of Civil Engineering from 1963 to 1968, Maj. Gen. Robert H.
Curtin, is presented to the Air force Outstanding Civil Engineer Unit
annually in two size categories – large and small.
Ramstein last claimed the Curtin Award in 2002.
