Twitter
Facebook
This article is part one of a three-part series highlighting the mission of the 786th Civil Engineer Squadron.
What exactly does it take to maintain the exterior function and appearance of the KMC? As part of the 786th Civil Engineer Squadron, which manages 10,770,000 square feet of airfield and more than 4,703 acres of land on both Ramstein and 19 other geographically separated units, there are two sections that contribute to maintaining, constructing and repairing the roads we drive on and the structures we use every day.
The “K flight” heavy equipment shop maintenance section consists of 34 personnel and is broken down into two different shops: pavements/heavy equipment shop and grounds shop. Together, the Airmen maintain, construct and repair 1.2 million meters of pavement and 544 facilities on 19 KMC installations worth more than $3.1 billion.
Heavy equipment Airmen maintain and repair perimeter and security fencing on all facilities and installations. The pavements and grounds shop also conducts snow and ice removal operations during the winter season. In addition, they operate snow plows, salt spreaders and other heavy equipment for 1.4 million square meters of road.
Tech. Sgt. John Varvale, noncommissioned officer in charge of structures, explained the sense of accomplishment he and his Airmen receive when completing a job.
“There’s a wide range of missions we do,” he said. “The biggest part of it is helping with quality of life and morale; it’s knowing that we help Airmen focus on their mission.”
The “K flight” structures section has a total of 43 technicians and is further broken down into three different shops: the metal/locksmith shop, the paint shop and the structures shop. Together, they plan, construct and perform repairs on wooden and masonry real property. The Airmen conduct structural system analysis to ensure the structure conforms in accordance with host nation and Air Force requirements.
Technicians have the capabilities to fabricate metal construction components from blueprints or rough sketches utilizing oxyacetylene and arc welding methods. Overall, they support minor construction maintenance on critical infrastructure, covering 764 buildings with a total of 8.1 million square feet on 21 GSUs worth $3 billion.
“Heat, water, electric, airfield and facilities are what we maintain. Take these basic needs away and the mission stops,” said Tech. Sgt. Leonard Collins, NCOIC of heavy equipment. “If you really think about it, CE has a hand in everything that is done on base. You can’t spell Air Force without ‘CE.’”
The 786th Civil Engineer Squadron
» Maintains and repairs 1,373 facilities worth $8.2 billion in assets.
» Consists of 305 military members and 357 host nation members.
» Supports 53,000 customers.
» Average 27,000 service calls annually.
» The squadron is located on Ramstein and takes care of Ramstein’s airfield and facilities.
» “K flight” is located on Einsiedlerhof Air Station and takes care of GSUs.
