An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

When others can't do it, Air Force turns to the HORSE

  • Published
  • By Public Affairs
  • AFRC Video\Writing\Photography
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  A simplistic view of them is that they are the Air Force equivalent of The Extreme Makeover team since these Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers can build something from nothing in no time.

More commonly known as the 560th RED HORSE, the unit was activated here March 8, 2009, and is one of five such units in the Air Force Reserve. Now they're expanding.

The $3.4 million project will add 3,100 square meters to their current facility and is being built by the active duty 628th Civil Engineer Squadron here. Construction began in January 2011 and is slated for completion in April 2012.

"We know what we want for our building," said Maj. Lance Turner, 560th RED HORSE acting commander, "but logistically [628 CES has] the master plan for the entire base."

Since their capabilities are great, training is the focus for the new building, according to the major. The new building will house dedicated spaces for training with computers, large groups and in various aspects of core competencies such as electrical, vehicle maintenance and airfield operations.

"Not everyone does what we do," Major Turner said. "People are the key and we need those who are fully capable of carrying out the mission."

Training readies them to deploy roughly every three years, with the next deployment slated for October 2012. Achieving and maintaining this readiness doesn't come without challenges, however. The first step is getting technical training school dates, the major said. There are a variety of jobs, and getting the right people in the right schools at the right time has been challenging.

Some of the Airmen are junior members or have cross-trained from other career fields, while others are seasoned veterans. A lot of effort is being put into the upgrade training and seasoning training to prepare the less experienced members, who work closely with the 628 CES, he added.

Senior Airman Tyler McLaughlin, a pavement and equipment operator, is one of those trainees and was in the construction business before he joined the Air Force Reserve.

"I've been in construction my whole life," he said. "I couldn't sit behind a desk. Sometimes it gets pretty hot and we get pretty dirty." But he finds the work endlessly interesting.

"There's always a problem to solve that no book is going to help you with," he said, adding that he enjoys his work despite any inconveniences. That's just the kind of attitude the squadron is looking for, according to Major Turner.

Though he gets paid more as a civilian to do the same job as a Reservist, the thing that motivates him in the Air Force is that "as a civilian, you're not fighting a war. If there's no runway, planes can't land. I'd rather be doing this."

Comprised of Airmen from 26 career fields, including finance, medical and personnel, the 560th RED HORSE relies heavily on Air Force Reserve recruiting to bring them the quality people they need to be self-reliant.

They filled many positions with people from the 315 CES, like Chief Master Sgt. Tonya Blythe, 560 RED HORSE manager, who came from the 315 CES in November 2008.

"There's a tendency to stay in RED HORSE once in, since it is such a tight knit community," she said. "We're a unique group."

Their mission is just as unique as their red caps, according to Major Turner, and while their focus is still on civil engineering, their training enables the self-sufficient unit to deploy at a moment's notice and operate in high-threat environments.

"We provide heavy construction where it's difficult to provide," Major Turner said. In theater, they belong to the Joint Force Air Component Commander and provide capabilities that wouldn't otherwise be available. "It's really invaluable."

"Facility repair, well drilling and airfield pavement all provide options to the combatant commander," he said. "Most construction is done through contracting and sometimes it can't be done by others. It's very rewarding contributing to that. We can impact the mission in a way no one else can.

"We as RED HORSE are happy to be here at Joint Base Charleston," he said. "Though we aren't aligned with any of the teams, Charleston has been very good to us. We get great support."