GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Airmen from the 106th Civil Engineering Squadron of the New York Air National Guard thought they were coming for a traditional two-week training deployment at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, but increased operations at the naval station airfield in support of Operation Unified Response are providing plenty of training opportunities for these guardsmen.
About 40 airmen arrived at Guantanamo Bay for their routine annual training requirements for the Air National Guard. They work with engineers from the 474th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron and Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 25, both stationed at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, to perform maintenance projects around the base.
This joint environment provides an added benefit for the guardsmen. "The value of this experience for my guys is getting to see how to operate in this joint environment," said Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Vincent Fondacaro.
The 160th brought airmen with several different specialties, including heavy equipment operators, electricians and carpenters.
Many of these service members also do similar jobs in their civilian careers. "We have a well-rounded base of individuals who bring a variety of trades to the table," Fondacaro said.
U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay is serving as a logistics hub for humanitarian assistance flowing into Haiti as a part of Task Force 48. Operating from Guantanamo Bay, TF-48 is coordinating air and sea assets in the delivery of immediate life-saving humanitarian assistance to Haiti.
With the increased activity on the leeward side of the naval station, improvements are necessary to accommodate the number of personnel, equipment and supplies required for the relief effort.
The 106th has been instrumental in making improvements to structures on the leeward side, fixing access roads and clearing debris and helping to expand the runway at the airfield to accommodate the increased number and type of aircraft coming to Guantanamo.
"These missions became a top priority after the earthquake in Haiti," said Air Force Lt. Col. Denise Boyer, commander of the 474th. "The 106th jumped through hoops to get the mission accomplished ahead of schedule."
Operating in an unfamiliar environment presents many challenges, such as knowing who to go to with requests and working with personnel of different services and ranks.
"We try to act like proper guests, but also get the mission done," Fondacaro said.
Much of the work done by the 106th is noticeable on the area of the base that, under usual circumstances, receives little traffic and attention. Transforming this seldom-used area into a place where relief operations can take place leaves the Airmen with a sense of accomplishment from their efforts.
"I feel like the product we're leaving behind is adding value to the base," Fondacaro said.