Airfield Damage Repair keeps Wolf Pack flying

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason Colbert
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Airmen assigned here participated in a civil engineer exercise that tested the wing's ability to provide support to contingency air operations here, March 5.

8th Civil Engineer Squadron Airfield Damage Repair Teams were met with the challenge of rapid runway repairs after simulated enemy attacks.

According to 1st Lt. Benjamin Carlson, ADR Team officer-in-charge, the goal of the exercise was to implement engineering solutions to repair the base's runway.

"It is putting a temporary fix on damage caused to the airfield by enemy attack." said the Lieutenant. "Depending on the extent of damage, it involves crater repair, Emergency Airfield Lighting Systems, Minimum Airfield Operating Strips, Mobile Aircraft Arresting Systems, and Folded Fiberglass Mat teams."

The squadron conducted the runway crater repair as part of the base's airfield recovery operation, which is set to meet U.S. and Republic of Korea Air Force contingency standards

"The success that we had today is only made possible by the hard work of every single member of the team," said Master Sgt. John Tingle, lead team chief.

Teams often employ craftsmen from structures, power production, electrical, and engineer assistants, not to mention augmentees from Heating, Vacuum and Air Conditioning and entomology to get the job done. With the amount of equipment and people on site today, attention to detail was critical so that no one was injured.

To coordinate all of the necessary people to get the job done, Lieutenant Carlson turned to five team chiefs to help him keep everything moving and everyone safe.

According to the Lieutenant, repetition and continuous training is essential for keeping his squadron ready to repair the base's runway at a moment's notice.

"Exercising is vital so all of the personnel know how to work their respective equipment; many have never done ADR before, or have not done it in a number of years," said Lieutenant Carlson. "This requires us to start from square one every time people transition in or out."

"As long as there are craters in the airfield, the Wolf Pack cannot put aircraft in the air to take the fight North," he said. "I am proud to work with such experienced personnel."