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Tenacious Airmen Tackle Toughest Construction Jobs

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On a construction site at an undisclosed location here, all five senses are constantly bombarded. The sun scorches every inch of uncovered skin. Gusting winds kick up sand and dirt, making it difficult to see. Deafening machines saturate the air with the smell and taste of fumes.

Airmen assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE, wait for further instructions while working on a construction site June 27, 2017, in Southwest Asia. The squadron is tasked with constructing a new 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing mission support industrial complex and life support area, to include facilities, utilities and roads, providing the wing with increased capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Damon Kasberg)
Airmen assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE, wait for further instructions while working on a construction site June 27, 2017, in Southwest Asia. The squadron is tasked with constructing a new 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing mission support industrial complex and life support area, to include facilities, utilities and roads, providing the wing with increased capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Damon Kasberg)
Airmen assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE, wait for further instructions while working on a construction site June 27, 2017, in Southwest Asia. The squadron is tasked with constructing a new 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing mission support industrial complex and life support area, to include facilities, utilities and roads, providing the wing with increased capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Damon Kasberg)
RED HORSE shapes 332nd AEW, future
Airmen assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE, wait for further instructions while working on a construction site June 27, 2017, in Southwest Asia. The squadron is tasked with constructing a new 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing mission support industrial complex and life support area, to include facilities, utilities and roads, providing the wing with increased capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Damon Kasberg)
Photo By: Senior Airman Damon Kasberg
VIRIN: 170627-F-LR947-1337

For the combat engineers of the 557th Expeditionary Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer, better known as RED HORSE, this is an average day at work.

These airmen, charged with large-scale projects, handle some of the toughest construction jobs in the Air Force.

‘Our Engineers Are Accomplishing Incredible Feats’

“Our engineers are accomplishing incredible feats by constructing the next 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing operating location,” said Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Martin Pitre, 557th RED HORSE superintendent. “Every phase in constructing a pre-engineered building is present on one construction site. This is a rare occurrence when craftsman can engage in all phases of building construction from start to finish.”

In the morning, a convoy arrives to the site. Airmen pile out, grab their gear and get to work. It’s early, but the sun and temperature is quickly rising. By noon, empty water bottles are scattered across the site as airmen attempt to stay hydrated in the heat.

“You’re just dirty all the time,” said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam Wright, 557th RED HORSE project manager. “When the wind is out with the heat it feels like you’re in a dryer. Your body gets tired pretty quickly. It can be a challenge, but you have to keep on pressing to get the job done.”

An Airman assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE, drinks waster while working on a construction site June 27, 2017, in Southwest Asia. Working through extreme heat and high winds members of RED HORSE construct pre-engineered buildings vital to the expansion of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing and its operational capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Damon Kasberg)
An Airman assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE, drinks waster while working on a construction site June 27, 2017, in Southwest Asia. Working through extreme heat and high winds members of RED HORSE construct pre-engineered buildings vital to the expansion of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing and its operational capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Damon Kasberg)
An Airman assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE, drinks waster while working on a construction site June 27, 2017, in Southwest Asia. Working through extreme heat and high winds members of RED HORSE construct pre-engineered buildings vital to the expansion of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing and its operational capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Damon Kasberg)
RED HORSE shapes 332nd AEW, future
An Airman assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE, drinks waster while working on a construction site June 27, 2017, in Southwest Asia. Working through extreme heat and high winds members of RED HORSE construct pre-engineered buildings vital to the expansion of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing and its operational capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Damon Kasberg)
Photo By: Senior Airman Damon Kasberg
VIRIN: 170627-F-LR947-1022

There’s a certain point when the heat is deemed unbearable and unsafe to work outside. It’s at that point when the RED HORSE airmen are told to call it a day. But everyone knows there’s a schedule to maintain. A handful of airmen are tasked to work a nightshift, when the temperature drastically changes.

“It’s 65 degrees out here at night, not 110, and that makes everything better,” said Air Force Staff Sgt. Shannon Beavin, 557th RED HORSE structural craftsman. “Our leadership gives the project managers free rein to get in our hours. Since we can work safely at night, with all the lights and equipment we have, it actually speeds up the operation for us because of the temperature difference.”

Working Day, Night

With floodlights beaming down, a group of airmen work into the night, putting up steel frames for what will eventually be a civil engineer shop. It’s one of many structures the squadron is charged with building over the coming months, enhancing mission capabilities throughout the area of responsibility.

“We’re doing good work,” Beavin said. “We’ll have nine of these buildings complete by the time we’re done with our rotation. Everyone is working hard; they’re all trained up and doing what they’re supposed to be doing.”

Their shift comes to an end before the first ray of sunlight creeps over the horizon. The sounds of machinery wind down and lights shut off. The once-illuminated scene is pitch-black as the airmen put the construction site behind them.

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