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.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Sept. 15, 2010

RENO AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Nev., - "Pest" is a four-letter word to Air Force Staff Sgt. Damien Falconer of the Nevada Air National Guard's 152nd Civil Engineering Squadron.

By Army Sgt. Mike Getten, Nevada National Guard

RENO AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Nev., - "Pest" is a four-letter word to Air Force Staff Sgt. Damien Falconer of the Nevada Air National Guard's 152nd Civil Engineering Squadron.

As the lone pest management specialist in the Nevada Air Guard, it's his job to eliminate all of the creepy-crawly nuisances here.

Falconer continually works to eliminate insects, rodents, weeds and an occasional bird from the base's environment to prevent the pests from calling base equipment and facilities their permanent home.

"A pest is a plant or animal that's out of place," Falconer said. "We currently don't have a lot of problems with pests on base. My biggest problem here is wasps, which can build a new home overnight. But those are even a small issue."

Falconer spent 10 years in food service before cross-training into pest management last year.

"When I first joined, I just wanted a quick school and to enlist," Falconer said. "About a year ago, I found I wasn't having much fun in food service anymore and just wanted a change. I began looking for something else and discovered the pest control job and decided it could be interesting. Pest control is a big piece of food service, so I thought this would be a good fit."

During his initial training period, Falconer received classroom and field instruction in how to conduct surveys for and identify pests and how to select and apply proper management techniques to control or eliminate infestations.

"We always look for the least impact on the environment," Falconer said. "If a frightening device or other nonpollutant can be used, it is the preferred method."

Working with pesticides can be dangerous to the environment as well as individuals. Falconer is required to obtain a state hazardous materials handling certification. The Air Force also requires Falconer to attend regular military certification training at various air bases throughout the United States.

"Most people don't realize the stuff you buy at the hardware store can pollute the environment if used improperly," he said. "We are trained to properly mix the chemicals as well as properly apply the soup."

Air Force Master Sgt. Pat Speth, one of squadron's supervisors, said Falconer must stay on his toes even when there are no pest invasions on base.

"Falconer has one of those jobs where he must keep his skills sharp at all times," Speth said. "Then, when [he] deploys, he is the subject matter expert and must be ready to deal with any type of situation."

Falconer is at the apprentice level in the pest control management specialty, and he said he expects to attend his next school late this year to become a journeyman.

Like many other airmen in the squadron's utilities section, Falconer performs other utility-related jobs and spends a significant part of each drill working on tasks besides pest control.

"I spend most drills helping the utilities airmen wherever I can," he said. "But there are those times during drill I receive the call to take care of a wasp infestation or something."

 

 

Related Articles
Alaska Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Berg, a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter pilot, assigned to A Company, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion, conducts flight operations over Southeast Alaska near Juneau, Jan. 24, 2025. The Juneau-based Black Hawk aircrew conducts their federal mission training requirements and, when available, can respond to emergency requests by the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center or the State Emergency Operations Center.
Alaska Army National Guard Conducts Medevac Mission
By Dana Rosso, | June 5, 2025
JUNEAUA, Alaska – A UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter assigned to A Company, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion, transported a patient from Skagway to Juneau June 3, following a medical evacuation request from the Alaska...

U.S. Air National Guard civilian firefighters, assigned to the Vermont Air National Guard Fire Department, pose in front of the fire truck that was the first on scene, South Burlington, VT, June 4, 2025. These firefighters provided the first fire truck on scene to a local fire.
Vermont Air Guard First on Scene of South Burlington Fire
By Airman Raymond LaChance, | June 4, 2025
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. – Doireann Chesbrough, a civilian firefighter for the Vermont Air National Guard Fire Department, was sitting next to the radio in the dayroom of the station as the sun began to set over the Green...

Paratroopers from the Colorado National Guard and the Jordanian Armed Forces stand together before the first joint Colorado-Jordan airborne Friendship Jump, Watkins, Colorado, April 23, 2025. Members parachuted from a CH-47 Chinook as part of an event to strengthen interoperability and deepen the partnership between the two forces.
Airborne Operation Strengthens Colorado Guard, Jordan Partnership
By Senior Airman Melissa Escobar-Pereira, | June 4, 2025
CENTENNIAL, Colo. – In a display of cooperation and capability, Soldiers from the Colorado Army National Guard and the Jordanian Armed Forces recently conducted a joint airborne operation in Watkins, Colorado.The April 23...