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YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Civil Engineer Squadron sharpened deployment skills during a two-week field training assignment here from May 17 to June 1, working alongside active-duty counterparts on a broad range of civil engineer operations.
The unit completed 254 training tasks, often using tools and machinery not available at their home station, said Senior Master Sgt. Steve Ramge Jr., the squadron’s superintendent. “This deployment served as an invaluable training opportunity for our Airmen,” Ramge said. “Yokota’s vast expanse of specialized equipment, shops and unique geographical training environment allowed our Airmen to enhance their overall deployment readiness.”
Hands-on instruction covered six purpose-built vehicles; GPS equipment; expeditionary aircraft surfacing systems; fire hydrant back-flow prevention devices; and fuel system filtration equipment. Fire protection specialists also expanded their familiarity with mobile aircraft arresting systems to deepen cross-functional understanding of airfield emergency operations. “Working with our brothers and sisters across CE, our firefighters demonstrated the teamwork, versatility and readiness that define the Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force mindset,” said Master Sgt. Kyle Miller, assistant chief of training for the 123rd Fire and Emergency Flight.
Beyond training, the Airmen completed 12 facility and infrastructure upgrades that improved quality of life and mission support at the installation. Projects included installing 15 new air-conditioning units, modifying dormitory electrical systems, removing venomous insects from housing, and restoring plumbing and drywall in two facilities.
In a multi-shop effort, the squadron advanced construction of a 70-by-80-foot concrete pad by clearing a former playground site with heavy equipment. Airmen removed about 10 tons of material and leveled the area in preparation for grading and future construction of a physical training pad.
“The trainings were very hands-on and informative,” said Senior Airman Brayden Randolph, a water and fuels systems journeyman for the 123rd CES. “Our active-duty counterparts did a thorough job at explaining everything while answering any questions we had. They made the environment very welcoming.”
