RED HORSE Airmen aid in ALS gym completion

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Its been nearly a month since the transformation of the Airmen Leadership School gym began, and the volunteer-run project is finding more outlets for support.

The 307th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers Airmen used their reserve weekend to foster the total force initiative while completing hands-on training.

"It's not often we have the chance to be a part of a project this large on base," said Lt. Col. Charles Chapman, 307th RED HORSE Civil Engineer Squadron commander. "Typically, our Airmen focus on doing computer-based training, preventive health assessments and physical training on reserve weekends."

More than 40 reservists provided a boost toward completion of the ALS construction performed by volunteers.

"Our squadron was asked if we could provide assistance," said Chapman. "We determined that our Airmen could receive meaningful training and get the chance to work within their Air Force Specialty Code skill set."

The 307th is a tenant unit on Barksdale which causes difficulties for CE reservists who come to work.

"We don't have a mission to maintain base facilities unless we ask for it," said Chapman. "The 2nd CE squadron takes care of the work which leaves us with the problem of finding creative ways to get our hands-on training done in a timely manner."

Airman 1st Class Trey Cafarella, 307th RHCES electrical systems apprentice, feels fortunate to have the opportunity to work on this project.

"This is my second unit training assembly, but the first time I've done hands-on work since technical school," said Cafarella. "I'm pretty lucky. We don't get to do work like this and for some of us it took several months."

RED HORSE will have an additional four days in February to work on the gym.

"I'm partnering with the 2nd Bomb Wing CES to get more projects for the reservists to execute on base." said Chapman. "I want them to have a sense of accomplishment of what we did as a team. When they see a project they worked on they can say, hey, I did that."