Tech. Sgt. Jason Hindmarsh and Staff Sergeant William Williams, 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Detachment 3, use a cable crimper to attach a connector on an electrical line at Patrol Base Shocker, Iraq, May 2009. Over 6,000 feet of electrical cable was placed to support over 15 troop billets, hygiene facilities and guard towers. The Airmen were a part of a construction team to support the vertical construction phase, which doubled the size of the installation to bed-down over 140 additional U.S. Soldiers to be assigned to Patrol Base Shocker. Sergeant Hindmarsh and Sergeant Williams are deployed from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. Sergeant Hindmarsh is a native of Spokane, Wash. Sergeant Williams is a native of Clarkston, Mich.
Civil Engineer Airmen Answer Army's Call
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Who does the Army call when they need something built in a hurry to accomplish their mission or to improve their quality of life? The Airmen assigned to the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, that's who.
More than 50 combat-trained engineers, assigned to the 732nd ECES Det. 3, can provide a variety of engineer services at the drop of a hat.
"Our team here was brought in to help the Army's Construction Battalion, and we can provide the vertical asset they need, which basically means we provide everything that goes above ground to include electrical, water and
Not only are these Airmen working with the Army, in some cases filling Army civil engineer positions but they have adjusted their operation so they can provide construction and support services in a true expeditionary mission mindset ... anytime, anywhere.
"We partner up, plan out projects, get all our materials together, do our designs and then go out to a remote location and build up a base so that like in many cases, the Army can be partnered up with the Iraqi army so they can work together," said Captain Corbin, who is deployed from Dover Air Force Base, Del., and is a native of Waunakee, Wisc.
This team includes Airmen with plumbing, carpentry, masonry, electrical, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning skills. It also includes heavy equipment operators, vehicle maintainers and logistics or supply Airmen, all doing their jobs, sometimes in dangerous areas within Iraq.
"Many times we are out doing projects wearing our body armor and helmets with our guns strapped to our backs," the captain said. "The actual impact we are making for these Soldiers is great and they really appreciate the support we provide."
While each rotation of engineers may provide similar services, each one has a signature project that defines their deployment. That is exactly the case as these Airmen will leave behind a legacy that will ultimately last well into the future, according to Captain Corbin. That project for her team is Operation Flint Hills, a simple stretch of highway that these Airmen repaved and made the densely used road safer for military and civilian travelers alike.
"It's only every so often that a project comes along that will impact the local population so much that people literally across the country are interested in the progress and outcome," the captain said.
The project includes a robust convoy checkpoint which allows the civilian traffic complete freedom of movement, something these residents have not seen since the beginning of hostile operations.
"The scope of the project kept us positive," said Staff Sgt. Richard Hellyer, 732nd ECES heavy equipment operator." I feel like we increased the local quality of life as well as the safety for everyone who will now drive on that stretch of road." Sergeant Hellyer is deployed from Barksdale AFB, La., and is a native of Gilchrist, Ore.
Airmen from the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, Detachment 3, partnered with the Army 180th Engineer Company for the construct of the high profile Scania Highway by-pass project in Scania, Iraq, April 21, 2009. The Airmen spent 29 days outside the wire in full body armor and constructed a reinforced concrete pad using 104 cubic meters of concrete to ensure a smooth transition for coalition convoys and Iraqi civilian traffic entering and exiting the Scania area. The eight kilometer stretch was classified as the number one project for the Multi-National Corps in Iraq. Airmen from the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Detachment 3, place Texas-style barriers around Patrol Base Shocker, Iraq, in April 2009. The Airmen placed 60 barriers to increase force protection measures for over 15 living tents, hygiene facilities, and a Quick Reaction Force motor pool. The Airmen were part of a construction team sent to support the vertical construction phase to bed-down over 140 additional Soldiers to be assigned to the base. The team of Airmen are from Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. Senior Airman Tyrese Buie, 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Detachment 3, troubleshoots a malfunctioning air conditioning unit at Patrol Base Shocker, Iraq, in May 2009. Airman Buie is part of a multi-craft team with over 15 members, which supported the vertical construction phase to bed-down over 140 additional Soldiers assigned to Patrol Base Shocker. Airman Buie is deployed from F.E Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., and a native of Savannah, Ga. Staff Sgt. Justin Degarmo, 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Detachment 3, operates a bobcat with a trenching attachment as he buried electrical cables at Patrol Base Shocker, Iraq, in April 2009. More than 6,000 feet of cable was placed to support the requirements for more than 20 newly constructed facilities. Over 15 tents, shower/shave units and guard towers were among the facilities added to the electrical grid. Sergeant Degarmo was part of the construction team that supported the vertical construction phase, which doubled the size of the installation to bed-down over 140 additional U.S. Soldiers to be assigned to Patrol Base Shocker. Sergeant Degarmo is deployed from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. and a native of Spokane, Wash. 
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