ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D.—
The 28th Civil Engineer Squadron, Operations Flight, saved the day by providing a generator when a mobile dental truck lost power, which was providing free dental care to the children of Box Elder, S.D., Oct. 24, 2022.
Prior to CES providing a generator, the vehicle was able to drive but the dental appliances within had no power to operate.
All the equipment on board the dental truck, including their generator, failed, causing Airmen from the 28th CES power production shop to spring into action providing local dental partners a secondary source of power, said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Collins, 28th CES noncommissioned officer in charge of electrical power production.
“The community here is very supportive of the military,” said Walker. “It feels good being able to give back to them.”
Collins followed by saying Senior Airman Ronald Walker, 28th CES electrical power production journeyman, reconfigured the output of the generator to make sure the voltage and frequency matched so that the dental equipment wouldn’t burn out, while Senior Airman Ammon McCain, 28th CES electrical power production journeyman, worked on the safety aspects and installation of the generator.
The 28th CES is always ready to go at a moment’s notice. Acting quickly for situations like this allows them to increase their knowledge while also being able to supply reliable equipment that’s ready for use.
Collins, Walker, McCain, and another group of Airmen and civilians, attached to the Operations Flight gathered at Douglas Public Schools and worked together to provide a functioning, safe and well-equipped dental truck.
“The civilian leadership and I were liaisons between the base and the community to make sure that we didn’t let the mission fail, and that we also stayed in guidance with what was capable within the CES,” said Collins.
Collins, Walker, McCain and others all made it possible for local dental partners to perform their mission of providing free and accessible dental care to children.