Wet feet during the holidays

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  For six Airmen from the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron, the Sunday after Christmas Day was not spent enjoying the presents they received.

They were called out of the blue to help repair a waterline break at the U.S. Strategic Command headquarters building, Offutt Air Force Base, NE.

"It was definitely a surprise for them," said Senior Master Sgt. Bradley Jackson, 28th CES operations superintendent. "We called through the shop and asked for six volunteers. Within two hours we had the people we needed."

The Airmen who answered the call were from the Power Production and Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning shops. Airman 1st Class Christopher Bratton, Staff Sgt. Jared Clements and Staff Sgt. Scott Wethington represented Power Pro; while Senior Airman Nathan Hupp, Staff Sgt. Michael Risse and Staff Sgt. Darren Cook provided HVAC support.

"It wasn't too bad," said Staff Sgt. Michael Risse, 28th CES HVAC craftsman. "The weather at Offutt was a little colder than Ellsworth, but we were all definitely glad to go down and help out."

When the call for help went out to the shops, the leak had already caused six feet of water to accumulate in the basement of the headquarters building, which held the infrastructure for the entire facility.

"By the time they got down there the leak was contained," said Sergeant Jackson. "The Airmen went back into the facility and started rebuilding the infrastructure. They also did some general maintenance on base."

Sergeant Jackson said the performance by the 28th CES was "stellar".

"It goes back to us being able to deploy anytime to anyplace," he said. "The Airmen who went down have been receiving accolades from command for their response and productivity."

Col. Trent Edwards, 28th Mission Support Group commander, said the work done by the Airmen was a perfect example of the Air Force Core Values put into practice.

"I am very proud of the selfless efforts of our Civil Engineers," Col. Edwards said. "They are not only exemplifying our Air Force core value of Service before Self, but are exemplifying the true spirit of the holiday"