2nd CE tech support: the glue holding projects together

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Luke Hill
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Construction projects can require a massive team effort with many parts having unique jobs within the process.

While most people are familiar with framers, “dirt boys”, engineers, and architects, few people are acquainted with the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron technical support shop and the role they play throughout a construction project.

The 2nd CES technical support shop provides support for construction projects from start to finish. They work with all the different groups during each phase of a project.

“It’s a team effort, but we are the connecting point between all the moving pieces, the glue that gets the project done,” said Master Sgt. Monroe Lewis, 2nd CES technical support NCO in-charge.

The 2nd CES technical support shop also provides building plans and schematics, base maps including utility lines and digging permits. As a result they are the first stop for any construction project.

“We are your starting point. You can’t start or progress in construction without us,” said Staff Sgt. Patrick Hartigan, 2nd CES engineering technician. “You can’t dig anywhere without a permit and you can’t start construction on a building without having a layout.”

Not only is the 2nd CES technical shop the starting point in construction, but in many ways, they precede construction in that they create the schematics and computer animated drawings necessary for construction.

CAD’s basically take the draft of an architect and transform it into a useful schematic that can then be used by construction crews, or as Lewis says “Architects give us a draft, we bring it to life.”

When viewed through tech support eyes, Barksdale is a living, constantly changing organism. These changes have to be surveyed and updated so that construction crews are provided with the most up to date information. If water, gas or electrical lines aren’t updated or if construction crews don’t go through 2nd CES technical support first, there can be disastrous results.

“If for some reason CE decides to dig and they hit an electrical line, they could potentially shut down the airfield and the mission,” said Staff Sgt. Jospeh Allen, 2nd CES engineering technician. “I know that sounds drastic, but it’s true.”

Construction projects are essential to the mission. Without shelter, paved roads, utility and electrical lines then other squadrons, units, and shops can’t do their job. Thankfully Barksdale’s 2nd CES technical support keeps the mission going by augmenting construction projects at their beginning, middle, and end.