MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Aircraft runways at military installations across the world require small-scale repair and maintenance at regular intervals due to wear and tear associated with normal operations.
When the time came for more extensive maintenance work on the runway at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Airmen assigned to the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron teamed up with Airmen from the 556th, 560th, and 819th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers (REDHORSE) Squadrons, as well as Reservists, Guardsmen and civilian contractors to get the job done while exchanging tactics, techniques, and procedures.
The primary task consisted of removing a 20,000 square foot area of degraded runway and replacing it with fresh material.
“The fact that we can go in, tear out a giant section of runway, and replace it, is something that engineers won’t do everyday,” said Senior Master Sgt. Mitchell Meis, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron operations flight superintendent. “Being able to patch it and see a jet land on it gives you that job satisfaction and the young Airmen get to realize this is what we’re doing it for.”
Meis stated that the ability to effectively respond to runway and flightline issues is a matter of extreme importance, since the runway’s condition directly affects the ability of aircrews to safely land and takeoff.
“If the runway starts to deteriorate it can cause accidents that may lead to injuries or damage not only to aircraft, but to other flightline equipment, so redoing it ensures everyone’s safety,” said Staff Sgt. Trever Van Oss, a mission generation vehicular maintenance specialist assigned to the 819th REDHORSE Squadron at Malmstrom AFB, Montana. “The Air Force spends millions of dollars on these aircraft, so we have to make sure we do our best to prevent damage and maintain their condition.”
In wartime scenarios, bomb craters and poor conditions on a flightline can cause the loss of valuable time and even lives. Training events like this build a strong foundation of experience, empowering civil engineer Airmen to work quickly and confidently when it matters most.
“We need these opportunities to practice like we play; they keep us ready,” said Maj. Arpan Patel, director of operations for the 560th REDHORSE Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. “We’re extremely grateful for all the support that we have for training our Airmen.”
Thanks to this training event, Team Minot can boast not only a newly-repaired aircraft runway, but also a world-class team of civil engineer Airmen ready to respond to any challenge that comes their way.