Illinois Air National Guard senior airman support civil engineer ops in Southwest Asia

Published Sept. 16, 2010
By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Senior Airman Jacob Cleer is a pavements and construction equipment journeyman with the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia.

Airman Cleer is deployed from the Illinois Air National Guard's 182nd Civil Engineer Squadron, 182nd Airlift Wing, at General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport, Ill. According to the 182nd Airlift Wing Web site, the mission of the 182nd AW is "to provide air-land and airdrop, command, control and communications, logistics and support services for the nation, state and community."

Additionally, beginning in January 2005, the wing converted from the C-130E Hercules to the newer C-130H model. Personnel from the wing, such as Airman Cleer, remain deployed to combat zones while other members of the wing continue routine worldwide support to the Air Force, the Web site states.

As a pavements and construction equipment journeyman, Airman Cleer constructs and maintains concrete and asphalt runways, aircraft parking aprons and roads, his official Air Force job description states. He operates and maintains heavy construction equipment such as, loaders, graders, dozers, backhoes and dump trucks. He also operates tractor-trailer combinations -- transporting construction equipment and materials.

Pavements and construction equipment Airmen like Airman Cleer are trained to plan, construct and repair airfield pavements, roads, streets, curbs, surface mats, membranes and other improved areas using paving and surfacing procedures, the job description states. They take soil, aggregate, asphalt and concrete samples for laboratory tests and interpret construction drawings and surveys using information such as subgrade contours and grade alignment.

The job description shows Airmen Cleer is also trained to inspect pavements for surface, base and sub-base damage or defects and to repair damaged or defective areas by removing and replacing joint and crack sealant, surface overlays and seal coats. Pavements and construction equipment Airmen also determine type and application of equipment to use in various construction, maintenance and repair operations and they operate construction equipment to finish grade, level, slope and compact construction materials.

Furthermore, pavements and construction equipment Airmen like Airman Cleer investigate proposed work sites to determine resource requirements and apply engineered performance standards to plan and estimate jobs. They also coordinate and plan work requirements with other civil engineering and base agencies and inspect work to ensure quality and compliance with policies, regulations and other publications.

For Airman Cleer to do his job at home station and while deployed, he has to maintain mandatory job knowledge in a myriad of areas to include characteristics, capabilities, operation and maintenance of equipment used in construction and paving and soil types, properties, limitations and compaction methods. He also has to know about soil stabilization, drainage and erosion control; construction and maintenance of asphalt and concrete surfaces; roadbeds; structure erection; landscaping; safety and environmental concerns; and pavement maintenance plans.

Airman Cleer is like many Guardsmen supporting the Air National Guard's federal mission. According to the National Guard Bureau, that mission is to maintain well-trained, well-equipped units available for prompt mobilization during war and provide assistance during national emergencies (such as natural disasters or civil disturbances).

During peacetime, the combat-ready units and support units are assigned to most Air Force major commands to carry out missions compatible with training, mobilization readiness, humanitarian and contingency operations such as for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The Air National Guard provides almost half of the Air Force's tactical airlift support, combat communications functions, aeromedical evacuations and aerial refueling. In addition, the Air National Guard has total responsibility for air defense of the entire United States.

According to the 386th AEW Web site, the wing is the primary tactical airlift hub for re-supply missions supporting coalition operations in Iraq and providing combat service support to land component forces throughout the Arabian Gulf region and Iraq. The 386th AEW is composed of approximately 2,400 active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Airmen.