REDHORSE paves way for Tyndall

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Andrea Valencia
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 823rd RED HORSE is conducting paving operations on two miles of road near the back of Tyndall's air field.

The 823d RED HORSE is home-based at Hurlburt Field, Florida. When not deployed, RED HORSE Airmen maintain their proficiency through "Troop Training Projects." Troop Training Projects are opportunities to train younger Airmen in the trade secrets of RED HORSE in preparation for large-scale deployments. This allows the base to get key projects accomplished while providing RED HORSE forces with valuable technical training and experience.

"When we aren't deployed we like to do these kinds of jobs," said 1st Lt. Tavia Carlson, 823rd RED HORSE project engineer. "If we have a brand new airman right out of tech school, or who have never driven equipment before, we use these jobs to teach them how to drive, so when we go to the desert we aren't doing the teaching. They know how to execute."

Their current project involves milling or shaving off two inches of asphalt and then laying down two inches of new asphalt on the road on the back of the airfield.

"The road out there is fine, but its old asphalt, it's wearing down," said Capt. Arne Gjere, 325th Maintenance Squadron munitions flight commander. "When the combat F-22s [Raptors] arrive, there is going to be more AMMO vehicle traffic, with sensitive munitions."

The troop training program enables them to transition the knowledge they learn here during these times, to projects overseas. To them, the best way to gain training is by doing the actual work and learning from those working with them.

"These projects are to help train the Airmen on new skills but we also make sure to focus on safety, quality and maintaining our schedule throughout," said Lieutenant Carlson.

While the Air Force is saving money by having RED HORSE complete the project, with the project being 65 to 85 percent of what the base would pay a contractor. The military labor doesn't count against project funds, and the Airmen work six 12 hour days a week.

However, 93 percent of the material costs for the project are being bought from local company C.W. Roberts, adding a boost to Panama City's economy at $420,000.

Tyndall will be receiving a combat coded operational F-22 squadron. The increase in aircraft will cause an increase of AMMO vehicle traffic, necessitating the need for a newly paved road.