CE members help build base on mountain top

  • Published
  • By Capt Chrissy Cuttita
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Gunfire, austere conditions, enemy threats and far away from home. 

"This forward operating base would be built in the worst terrain that the country of Afghanistan had to offer, sitting on top of a mountain surrounded by mountains," said Master Sgt. Randall Kinser, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron, about the location he and his team of expert civil engineers transformed into a suitable military working area during a recent deployment to Bagram Air Field. 

Long days, hard work, coordination and a good plan were what it took to set up the FOB miles from Bagram in the Nuristan province, said Tech. Sgt. Steven Goe, 56th CES, who was responsible to lead structures personnel. The team's first challenge was getting to the proposed site. 

"It was our most nerve-racking convoy," said Sergeant Kinser. "Roads were nonexistent in some areas and in some places you could look out the HMMWV window and see the ground approximately 300 feet below." 

The mission called for the team to build a base named "Kala Gush" in mid-July 2006 and come mountain or bullet, they got the job accomplished. In September, after numerous planning meetings and assessments, the team of five CE Airmen went up to the site with 40 infantry soldiers, a Navy commander, staff and contractors to lay out the base and start building. 

On the first day, Sergeant Kinser remembers a small arms fire fight on the perimeter of the FOB but with the help of an Army first sergeant on guard, the team stayed safe until Mother Nature fought back that evening. 

"I decided we would construct one temper tent shell for us to sleep in so we did that and I decided that four stakes would hold the tent  down -- a bad idea," Sergeant Kinser said. "At 11:30 p.m., we found out what kinds of storms we would experience in the mountains. The wind pushed the tent approximately 25 feet." 

On that dark, rainy night the team set up their new "home" while strong winds whipped around them. The next day and almost a week later the team struggled to level the site and set up a base where the rest of the military would join them in the future. They would have to negotiate shipments with their commander, direct locals, tell contractors how to get the job done and conquer any other obstacle in their way, including boulders. 

"We found two boulders the size of a Volkswagen bus that we couldn't do anything with," said Sergeant Kinser.
 
All of the challenges aside, the sergeant said it was truly a unique trip for the Airmen and soldiers. 

"We got a real feel for how this provincial reconstruction team and our Army brethren live," said Sergeant Kinser. "We volunteered to do guard duty and stand watch and some of us did mountain foot patrols. That was good for us and good for camaraderie." 

Even though she was the youngest ranking, Senior Airman Hilary Phillips, 56th CES, felt she was a valuable part of the team. 

"I saw how quickly the team came together to complete this task. From the moment they arrived, things started to go up rapidly," said the Airman responsible for surveying the land, creating a map and plan of action for bare base layout to brief to commanders. "They worked hard to build this forward base in Nuristan and I was proud of my role and what we accomplished." 

From dusk till dawn they used every bit of sunlight to set up the perimeters of the FOB and at night there was nothing to do but watch the star show on top of the quiet mountain range. 

"We slept in total uniform simply because the threat was real and, at first, our security was limited due to the open perimeter so any noise at night made you jump," said Sergeant Kinser.
 
Once the area was set and the land was clear the 45 American servicemembers were joined by an entire camp of people also there to set up the base. 

"Some of the challenges were material and equipment," said Sergeant Goe. "There is never enough heavy equipment in remote locations and not having all the material needed for construction makes it a challenge to complete the mission. Sometimes you have to get imaginative and rely on the creativity of your troops. Luckily, CE troops are very smart and resourceful and won't stop until they find a solution." 

"It took 10 working days to have 24 tents, 14 generators, two latrines and a dining facility up and running," said Sergeant Kinser. "We then began installing walls in the tents for living quarters and building some interior creature comforts like shelves and desks. We decided to build a hardened building for their casualty collection point and were able to build a 600-square-foot building in a day and a half to include heating, ventilation and air conditioning plus electrical connections." 

"In such an isolated environment, medical was a priority," said Sergeant Goe, who designed and led construction of the building. "The FOB doctor and medics really had no facility to care for sick or injured personnel. Sergeant Kinser gave the building the finishing touches by making and hanging a sign with a medical cross and said 'Doc's Place.'  In our free time we even built a dog house for a stray and her puppies." 

Of course any supply runs out of the perimeter meant being ready to dodge gun fire. "The total build was not completed until Nov. 18, 2006," said Sergeant Kinser. On top of the original structure, more temper tents were set up, guard towers were built and a mortar pit was constructed complete with ammunition and bunker. 

"This project entailed the first team to have no showers or running water for 23 days and Meals Ready to Eat were the only food for 26 days -- not your average Air Force temporary duty," said Sergeant Kinser. 

It isn't the average duty, but it is what CE Airmen around the Air Force are trained to do successfully, and like the Thunderbolt team, many more will follow making a "home" for servicemembers overseas. 

Upon their return to Luke, Maj. Doug Swift, 56th CES operations commander had nothing but praises to say about his Airmen and their career field. 

"Air Force civil engineers have quickly become the construction and maintenance method of choice throughout the joint community," said the major. "No other service has the unique experience or training to establish or sustain air bases like CE because we do it everyday at bases like Luke. We are especially proud of what our 40-person Luke CE team accomplished in such a short time under such hazardous and austere conditions. Dragonslayers, and CE as a whole, really do lead the way." 

Sergeant Goe said that CE's work overseas helps the military in the global war on terrorism. 

"Seeing my team work hard and give 110 percent to get the mission accomplished was very rewarding," Sergeant Goe said. "It takes us, from an occupying or police force, to teach and give the people the tools and infrastructure necessary to successfully run their own country."