An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Ramstein Squadron Ensures Mission-Ready Airmen During Pandemic

June 22, 2020 | By AIR FORCE SENIOR AIRMAN MILTON HAMILTON
You have accessed part of a historical collection on defense.gov. Some of the information contained within may be outdated and links may not function. Please contact the DOD Webmaster with any questions.

Throughout the months of increased COVID-19 measures, the 435th Construction and Training Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, has ensured that airmen have received training necessary to maintain readiness for contingency operations by hosting training courses for various Air Force specialties within the 86th Airlift Wing.

''Our goal is to train highly capable engineers with essential warfighting skills necessary to succeed in a deployed environment,'' said Air Force Master Sgt. Daniel Decastro, the infrastructure section chief with the 435th CTS.

Sparks fly as an airman wearing a helmet and mask welds metal.
Sparks fly as an airman wearing a helmet and mask welds metal.
Welding Sparks
Air Force Airman 1st Class Stephen Thomas, with the 786th Civil Engineer Squadron, fuses metal during a welding course at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 28, 2020. The four-day training taught airmen various welding principles to increase their proficiency.
Download: Full Size (2.44 MB)
Credit: Air Force Senior Airman Milton Hamilton
VIRIN: 200428-F-VQ832-1188

During the training courses, the squadron provided mission-essential equipment training and training in career-specific skills such as crane certification, welding and fire rescue procedures.

As the main training unit for U.S. Air Forces in Europe, the squadron provides airmen the opportunity to increase their respective Air Force specialty skill level.

''Airmen are required to have this training every three years,'' Decastro said. ''Most airmen do not have this equipment in their home station, so they come to the 435th CTS to get trained and certified to upgrade to journeyman or craftsman.''

Airmen rappel down a wall.
Airmen rappel down a wall.
Rappel Practice
Airmen assigned to the 86th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department conduct a rescue certification course at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 28, 2020. The skills learned in this course can be used to rescue people who are stuck on the side of a building or have fallen off a cliff, among other things.
Download: Full Size (4.09 MB)
Credit: Air Force Senior Airman Milton Hamilton
VIRIN: 200428-F-VQ832-1019
An airman rappels down a building while other airman watch from below and above.
An airman rappels down a building while other airman watch from below and above.
Rescue Training
Airmen assigned to the 86th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department conduct a rescue certification course at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 28, 2020. The skills learned in this course can be used to rescue people who are stuck on the side of a building or have fallen off a cliff, among other things.
Download: Full Size (4.95 MB)
Credit: Air Force Senior Airman Milton Hamilton
VIRIN: 200428-F-VQ832-1069

Additionally, the squadron trains allied and partner-nation forces with similar job specialties as U.S. airmen.

''Last year we trained the Lithuanian military on how to operate, install and maintain mobile aircraft arresting systems,'' Decastro said. ''In fact, our 435th CTS subject matter experts built the Lithuanian operation and maintenance program for their MAAS.''

The training courses used to teach allied and U.S. airmen would not be possible without the squadron’s ability to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two airmen train on a water purification system inside a tent.
Two airmen train on a water purification system inside a tent.
Water Test
Air Force Senior Airman Brandon Williams, a water and fuel systems maintenance journeyman with the 786th Civil Engineer Squadron, left, and Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ronald Melton, the water and fuel systems maintenance contingency training noncommissioned officer in charge with the 435th Construction and Training Squadron, test a reverse-osmosis water purification unit during proficiency training at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 29, 2020. The 435th CTS teaches a specialty course for all U.S. Air Forces in Europe water and fuel systems maintenance airmen on how to properly operate and maintain the system in a contingency environment.
Download: Full Size (3.42 MB)
Credit: Air Force Senior Airman Milton Hamilton
VIRIN: 200429-F-VQ832-1066

''Our talented and smart instructors developed safety plans aligned with the wing's guidance to be able to continue teaching the mission-essential equipment courses,'' Decastro said. ''We had to cut the class sizes in half, but the bright side was students were able to get more one-on-one time with the instructor, which allowed the students to gain a better grasp of the material.''

(Air Force Senior Airman Milton Hamilton is assigned to the 86th Airlift Wing.)

Spotlight: Coronavirus: DOD Response Spotlight: Coronavirus: DOD Response: https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Coronavirus/

coronavirus Air Force

Related Stories