Into the wild: 2nd CES Pest Management Airmen venture where few have gone

Airman 1st Class Maurice Clark, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron pest management apprentice, checks for confirmation of the species of ant found behind a window at a building on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 12, 2016. The species was confirmed to be a fire ant which can be deadly to someone with an ant allergy. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Luke Hill)

Into the wild: 2nd CES Pest Management Airmen venture where few have gone

Airman 1st Class Maurice Clark, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron pest Management apprentice, inspects behind a window for ant infestations at a building on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 12, 2016. Ant infestations can be a nuisance as well as a health risk to Airmen with allergies. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Luke Hill)

Into the wild: 2nd CES Pest Management Airmen venture where few have gone

Published Feb. 18, 2016
By by Airman 1st Class Luke Hill
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --
Airmen step out of a truck on the east reservation here and prepare to dispose of an unwanted guest that had passed on from this world when they are suddenly struck with fear as they realize their fuzzy companion has been resurrected.

Their bodies became frozen as they stare into the eyes of a black and white rodent. The workers make an attempt to retreat, but it’s too late. A light mist, that may have been pleasant on the hot spring day, greeted them with a hazardous smell. Soiled and smelly, without a complaint, the pest management Airmen finish the job by releasing the skunk Back into the wilderness.

Going boldly where no man wants to go, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron pest management Airmen risk their personal comforts to do a job that is vital to the health of Barksdale’s Airmen, infrastructure and assets.

“I’m very proud of what we do,” said Airman 1st Class Maurice Clark, 2nd CES pest management apprentice. “A lot people are afraid of animals and couldn’t do what we do. I know how important our mission is to Barksdale and I’m glad to be a part of it.”

Unwanted animals can cause all sorts of problems and can even be a threat to health and personal well-being, he continued.

“We prevent a lot of infestations which can make people sick,” said Clark. “Many of these animals carry disease so we have to keep them away from the work environment.”

Not only do these infestations lead to undesirable or unsafe work environments, they can also be an immediate danger to Airmen as well.

“Some people are actually allergic to ants and other pests,” said Senior Airman Shana Neal, 2nd CES pest management journeyman. “If we don’t minimize their population, it can turn into a major safety hazard.”

Health risks aren’t the only problem these critters can cause. Animals like termites, rats and raccoons can cause major damage to base infrastructure.

“I once captured a raccoon that was inside a B-52,” said Neal. “We also get rats that will nest up in the ceilings and walls of buildings. These can cause some serious damage if they aren’t stopped.”

Although most Airmen may not think about pests or unwanted animals until it directly affects their mission, they are a problem that must be dealt with constantly in order to keep 2nd Bomb Wing operations going forward. No matter how dirty and sometimes dangerous the job, 2nd CES pest management Airmen stand ready and proud to go where few are willing to.