KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea – -- The 8th Civil Engineer Squadron execution support flight performed a site survey at an ammo facility at Kunsan Air Base, May 8.
These site surveys are used to update maps for the base. They are achieved through reconnaissance of the site location, construction and mapping surveys by utilizing manual and electronic equipment.
"The information gathered through surveying is what allows us to update the Common Installation Picture through our ‘GeoBase’ software platform," said Tech. Sgt. Fabian Silva, 8th CES execution support NCO in charge. "The crew will be using a manual auto-level tool as well as electronic GPS survey equipment."
Engineering assistants have a wide variety of roles to ensure base maps are up-to-date. They prepare manual and computer-aided design drawings which allow them to assist commissioned engineers in designing blueprints for future projects around the base.
"We make maps for everyone and sometimes it’s up to other offices within CES to update us if something changes," said Senior Airman Hunter Slivka, 8th CES execution support engineering assistant. "If there is a water line that no longer exists or that they don’t use, we will hold all of that data."
All of this collected data allows CES to know whether or not certain facilities or areas are still available for use or if it is just unused real estate for another potential road, facility or waterline project.
Geographic Information System is another capability the execution support team performs, which consists of creating maps to the customer’s specific request. GIS also ensures that all training and real-world reference maps are updated, from the emergency operations center to the individual unit control centers.
Engineering assistants have contingency functions which use these methods to support the Wing’s enduring priority of receiving follow-on forces.
Lastly, execution support can provide important and expedient information to an aircraft or safety investigation board. By surveying required points of interest, this process enables them to provide the EOC with a continually updated visual of damage as they are one of the first teams to inspect damage on an airfield, in conjunction with an explosive ordnance disposal team.
"We are vital because we continuously update the base maps," said Slivka. "Whether it’s a new building or a roadway, we will survey it so we can add it to the map. This ensures that everyone on the installation is up-to-date."