CMAFS Clean-up

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN AFS, Colo. -- Spc. Donald Townsend, heavy equipment operator, 615th Engineer Company, 52nd Engineer Battalion, uses his bulldozer to move large amounts of debris at the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Sept. 13, 2013. The 615th Eng. is part of the severe weather reaction team and responded to a catastrophic mudslide on the AFS. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. William Smith, 4th Inf. Div. PAO)

CMAFS Clean-up

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN AFS, Colo. -- Sgt. Robert Riojas, and Spcs. Jordan Bellows and Jason Barth, all mechanics with 615th Engineer Company, 52nd Engineer Battalion, dig a drainage ditch to remove water from a work area at the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Sept. 13, 2013. The 615th Eng. is part of the severe weather reaction team and responded to a catastrophic mudslide on the AFS. (U.S. Army photo/Sgt. William Smith)

CMAFS begins clean up after heavy rains

Published Sept. 14, 2013
By 21SW Public Affairs

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN AIR FORCE STATION, Colo. -- As the western area of Colorado Springs begins to assess damage from the severe weather that passed through Sept. 13, crews at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station also begin their clean-up process.

Heavy rains caused flooding and rockslides, limiting normal traffic access to the installation and creating a large mud and debris field near the main entrance of the mountain. Personnel working inside the mountain are utilizing a secondary entrance until the debris is cleared.

CMAFS and its missions inside the mountain, however, remain fully operational and unaffected by the damage near the main entrance.

"The crews working overnight didn't even know there was flooding and rockslides," said Steve Rose, 721st Mission Support Group deputy director. "We are built to overcome a lot more than this and our missions will continue unhindered."

Safety remains the top priority for leaders here.

"Our Airmen and engineers are surveying the area for any additional damage as well as creating a plan for clean up," said Col. Travis Harsha, CMAFS installation commander. "Our top priority is to ensure the safety and security of the installation while sustaining the missions inside the mountain."

The 721st Security Forces Squadron is on scene to maintain force protection and security at the mountain.

The 721st Civil Engineer Squadron along with 615th Engineer Company, 52nd Engineer Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, from Fort Carson, Colo., are also on scene conducting clean up operations and constructing a damage assessment and repair plan.

"Our relationship with the engineers at Fort Carson has been key to our successful clean-up," said Harsha. "The 721st CES and 615th Engineer Company have worked together flawlessly to provide immediate support for our mountain team."

CMAFS personnel looking for updated information should check the website, www.peterson.af.mil, or call the CMAFS weather and reporting information line at 474-3333.