YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan – Airmen from the 121st Air Refueling Wing’s Civil Engineer Squadron participated in a deployment for training June 1-15, gaining hands-on experience, new certifications and strengthened partnerships with their active-duty counterparts in the Pacific.
A deployment for training, or DFT, allows Air National Guard civil engineer units to deploy to active-duty installations in two-week rotations to work on real-world projects, complete required training and gain experience with equipment and assets they would not normally encounter at their home station, said Lt. Col. Sean-Michael Kelly, commander of the 121st Air Refueling Wing Civil Engineer Squadron.
Kelly and Chief Master Sgt. Eric Rau said the training would not have been possible without the support of the 374th Airlift Wing and the National Guard Bureau. For a DFT, an active-duty base requests to host an Air National Guard unit through the National Guard Bureau, which then matches units with requesting installations.
“There's a lot of collaboration and coordination that goes on in preparation for these deployments, and it's very beneficial for both the hosting unit and the unit who will be deploying to take advantage of the training,” said Rau. “So, without the support of the 374th here at Yokota, as well as the NGB, this opportunity would have never existed.”
“The 374th opened their doors, their keys, their vehicles, and their knowledge to us to make us better,” said Kelly. “We hope we provided value to them as well, but we couldn’t do it without them.”
At Yokota, the Ohio Airmen gained exposure to equipment and processes they rarely see at home. Airmen assigned to the 121st CE Power Production Flight trained on an aircraft arresting system, including gauge inspections and replacements, equipment not available at their home station, where they support KC-135 aircraft.
Airmen from the 121st Water and Fuels Systems Maintenance Flight also gained experience on unfamiliar systems by working on a fuel hydrant system not available at their home station. They also repaired a 4-inch water line in a confined space.
The Pavements and Heavy Equipment Flight, along with the Structures Flight, planned and constructed a 25-by-80-foot concrete pad, from initial site preparation through concrete placement. They also trained 15 personnel on forklifts, dump trucks, loaders and skid steers, expanding Airmen’s skill sets and increasing the unit’s operational flexibility.
The Engineer Assistant Flight supported the concrete project by conducting testing and laser leveling to provide structural data for future project progression. The flight also collaborated with on-site engineering assistants to draft architectural drawings for multiple facilities.
The Operations Management Flight and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Flight supported the base’s response to the unexpected arrival of Typhoon Jangmi. Operations Management assisted 374th counterparts in the unit control center, gaining firsthand experience in active-duty command and control operations, while the HVAC team worked to clear debris from an installation-wide storm drain network.
The HVAC team also completed 18 real-world work orders across the base, including installing a mini split HVAC system in the officers’ club.
The Electrical Flight upgraded critical facility infrastructure by installing 75 feet of electrical conduit and junction boxes, securing communication lines and enhancing the automated capabilities of boiler systems.
All flights also completed numerous tasks on their respective Career Field Education and Training Plans.
“This opportunity to come out here to Yokota Air Base on this DFT was fantastic for upgrade training for our team. We earned several qualifications and certifications, and several folks were able to accomplish some of the tasks they needed to upgrade in their skill level,” said Kelly. “It was fantastic for our team and for their progress individually.”
Another key training event for the 121st CE Airmen was Prime BEEF Day, a weekly event hosted by the 374th CE Squadron. Prime BEEF, short for Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force, refers to specialized and rapidly deployable Air Force civil engineer units capable of providing full civil engineer support to maintain continuity at home and abroad. Prime BEEF forces specialize in airfield operations and help establish and sustain airfield operations at locations where U.S. Air Force aircraft operate.
During Prime BEEF Day, 121st CE Airmen honed their skills on various types of heavy equipment.
“Prime BEEF Day was an opportunity for our Airmen to train and retrain on equipment such as excavators, backhoes, and loaders, that they may only have a few hours or even zero hours on,” said Rau. “That critical stick time allows them to be more efficient an effective when they use the same equipment downrange. Equipment operation is a big piece of what we do as civil engineers, so building competency for those everyday tasks is important.”
Across all shops, the team logged more than 400 hours of wartime contingency training. Many Airmen completed skill upgrade tasks, job qualification standards and equipment certifications.
Rau said the DFT also gave Airmen a chance to learn from one another by bringing new perspectives to familiar tasks.
“There can be multiple ways to complete a task and in allowing people to voice their opinions, it helps the environment to become a lot more collaborative and people will surprise you,” said Rau. “Airmen can think outside the box and be more innovative in developing solutions. It builds their confidence and sows trust within the unit.”
Rau also said being away from home station helps develop camaraderie and cohesion within the unit.
The DFT also allowed 121st CE Airmen to build partnerships with their active-duty counterparts by working side by side, learning new processes and supporting real mission requirements.
“A Deployment for Training allows Guard units to integrate with active-duty units and share job knowledge and experience,” said Rau. “There could be specific equipment or processes that our Airmen would not be exposed to at home, and this rotation at Yokota provides that exposure.”
“The purpose of this DFT was to train in a real-world environment with our active-duty counterparts here at Yokota Air Base,” said Kelly. “It also sharpens our wartime skills, hones our unit's capabilities, and builds those allegiances and partnerships with the active-duty component as we prepare to deploy downrange together.”