301st Engineers team up with Army to build FOB

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mark Orr
  • 301st Civil Engineer Squadron
FORT WOLTERS, Texas --  Members of the 301st Civil Engineer Squadron helped construct a five-acre Forward Operating Base July 12, 2014, at Fort Wolters, Texas.

According to Senior Master Sgt. Richard Nemetz, 301 CES engineering superintendent, the FOB was in the first of six phases of construction. Once completed, the 610th Security Forces Squadron plans to use it as a realistic combat training environment for Airmen in combat survival skills, tactics, and operations.

Planning for the project began in early 2013 as a joint effort with the Texas Army National Guard's 176th Engineering Brigade. While 301 CES provided the bulk of the labor force, 176 EN BDE provided heavy equipment and personnel, according to 301 CES officials.

Coordination between 301 CES and 176 EN BDE culminated in an 11-day labor effort from June through mid-July 2014, said Nemetz.

As of August 2014, the joint task force

· Transported more than 20,000 cubic yards of dirt, 13,123 cubic yards used to level surface area
· Built 71 reinforced dirt barriers stretching more than 1,200 yards using 6,877 cubic yards of fill dirt
· Distributed gravel over 1,200 cubic yards of surface area
· Constructed 2,218 square yards of tent flooring

According to Lt. Col. William Marks, 301 CES commander, the joint efforts between the Air Force Reserve and Army National Guard represent the future of today's military.

"With the budget challenges we face in the Department of Defense, we will have to think outside the box. This has been a great opportunity and a win-win situation for the 301 CES and 176 EN BDE," he said.