Reserve CE team lends helping hand in Hawaii

Published Aug. 25, 2006
By Tech. Sgt. Tim Taylor
302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- When the 302nd Civil Engineer Squadron, an Air Force Reserve unit from Peterson, performs its annual tour, its members will do whatever it takes to get the job done. That means lending a hand in areas which are not necessarily their specialties. Need siding installed? Call the readiness guy.

Need a roof put on? Call the electrician. It's part of the squadron's cross utilization training program, according to Chief Master Sgt. Sally Arnold, 302nd CES chief of contingency operations.

"We're supposed to be able to backfill any position in our unit," she said. "We're supposed to have, ideally, a knowledge, not be an expert, but possess a general knowledge."

This year's annual tour consisted of a monthlong construction project in Hawaii during May and June. The 302nd CES split into two groups, each spending two weeks working on a project at Aloha Gardens for ORI Anuenue Hale, Inc., a non-profit organization on the island of Oahu.

The organization provides short-term respite care facilities and homes for elderly, handicapped and economically disadvantaged citizens, according to Ronald Renshaw, ORI Anuenue Hale, Inc. program director.

"We are looking at transitional houses," he said. "We will provide respite care up to two weeks at a time."

More than 60 members of the unit pitched in to construct a large part of three 1,500-square-foot houses and a 1,144-square-foot social hall. This phase of the project, which should be finished by year's end, already has three additional houses which need a few final touches.

"It should be ready for occupancy soon," said Mr. Renshaw. "It's my understanding the contractor will finish up where the military left off."

Aloha Gardens, once finished, will have 11 homes which can house 55 people, Mr. Renshaw said. He noted that a major food company will stop pineapple production on Oahu this year and about 700 employees will be without jobs. Some of them could have an opportunity to stay at Aloha Gardens and attend classes at an adjacent vocational training center ORI Anuenue Hale, Inc. is building.

"They can live here while taking classes in vocational services," said Mr. Renshaw. "They will receive training on how to get jobs." One example, he said, is learning about the interview process.

The $18-million, 40-acre Aloha Gardens community will also have an elderly daycare/wellness center, agricultural and aquacultural operations, gardens, country market, campground and miniature golf course once completed.

The work required of the 302nd included trenching, plumbing, framing, roofing and electrical work. of the squadron installed 37,600 square feet of sheet rock, 7,800 square feet of concrete board siding, and 5,700 square feet of fiberglass insulation, according to 2nd Lt. Fred Brooks, 302nd CES engineer and assistant officer in charge for the project.

The members of the 302nd worked about 45 hours each week, including several 12-hour shifts, in Oahu's hot, humid climate. Humidity frequently reached 90 percent or higher, a stark contrast to Colorado's relatively dry climate.

Despite the long hours and humid climate, the cross utilization training was fun, according to Master Sgt. Horace Baker, 302nd CES utilities system craftsman and one of the team leads for the project.

"We're learning a lot," he said. "We're learning the skill of another trade and what it takes to do it."

Sergeant Baker's team, like all the CE teams, had a mix of specialties. There was also a mix of Airmen, from senior airmen to senior master sergeants, and some of CE's leadership, providing the labor, which offered plenty of training opportunities. The CE members also learned some different aspects of construction. It was not uncommon to see a heavy equipment operator hanging siding or a plumber doing framing. Squadron members who normally perform administrative, personnel, supply and readiness duties tested their skills in home building as well.

"We're learning a lot because we get to do plumbing jobs, electrical jobs, heavy equipment and other things," said Senior Airman Victor Apodaca, 302nd CES structures. "Everybody's doing different things and it seems like everybody is working hard. We're getting a lot of hands-on training."

Staff Sgt. Margaret Alire, 302nd CES material management technician, was one of them. In addition to handling all aspects of supply, she also learned carpentry techniques and how to hang drywall, noting more knowledgeable CE members were willing to train her.

"Everybody helped me out," she said. By the end of their stay on Oahu, the members of the 302nd CES had achieved the satisfaction of a job well done and a heart-felt "mahalo," or thank you, from the natives.