Sweating it out in Guam Published July 8, 2016 By By Airman 1st Class Ashlyn J. Correia 157th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, GUAM -- Guardsmen from the Pease Air National Guard Base, New Hampshire deployed to Guam for annual training as part of the Air National Guard Troop Training Project, June 18-July 3. The project allows guard units from across the country to work on the construction sites around the world as part of their annual training and hone skills they might not otherwise have the opportunity to practice at home station. The 157th Civil Engineering Squadron and 260th Air Traffic Control Squadron form PANG deployment for training was to work on the Commando Warrior Field Training facility here. "It was a large project that had a lot of AFSCs [Air Force Specialty Code career fields] involved in it," said Chief Master Sgt. Mark Foster, the civil engineering manager. "Sometimes a project might be a little heavier on one aspect, but this is a very well rounded project." The various career fields included operations management, structural, water fuels management, heavy equipment, power production, heating ventilation and air conditioning, and electrical systems. The structures shop lead by Tech. Sgt. Randy Smith, primarily worked on two concrete block wall enclosures, called concrete masonry units, which will eventually house air conditioning units. "This is actually a start-to-finish concrete block wall that we have never done before, it's excellent training," said Smith. "This is something that our guys learn in tech school, but after that, we don't get much training on it." The electrical team pulled more than 1.5 miles of electric wiring through previous installed conduits from other guard units; as well as hung 24 lighting fixtures, said Master Sgt. Cesar Rivera, in charge of the electrical shop. The water fuels maintenance teams fulfilled a request to redesign the existing layout of a latrine. "We were tasked with installing latrine facilities and appliances within the facility," said Staff Sgt. William Zurek, a water fuels maintenance journeyman. Zurek noted the team overcame initial challenges to complete the job. While waiting for materials to be ordered, they helped with other projects to keep the overall project moving forward. For the heavy equipment operators, it was like playing in a huge sand box. The Dirt Boyz, as they are called, bulldozed more than 400,000 square feet of fill in-to a crater to level the land for an airdrop-training site. The power production shop trained on generators and aircraft arrest systems with the assistance of Airmen from the 254th Red Horse Squadron, Guam Air National Guard. All shops assisted with applying an elastomeric coating to a roof to protect the building from weather and to reflect some of the sun light off the structure to help keep it cool inside. "Our personnel laid more than 24,000 square feet of this coating," said Capt. Erik Minnis, the deployed troop commander. The project wasn't without setbacks though, but the New Hampshire Airmen overcame it, noted Foster. "Set backs on projects like this are anticipated," said Foster. "Sometimes you have to work out of your AFSC. It's about being flexible and helping out where you can." The Airmen learned very quickly that working on an island is a lot different then what they were used to at home station. "One of the things you encounter is in a deployed environments, and an island environment, we encounter some challenges in regards to material sourcing, tools and equipment," said Minnis. "Because of island realities, we have very limited resources." For many, this was their first time to Guam and working in such hot and humid conditions. Daily safety briefings reminded Airmen to utilize a work-rest cycle, drink plenty fluids and apply sunscreen. "This is my first time deploying for training where I have been the deployed troop commander," said Minnis. "The thing that impressed me the most was the positive attitude and the ability of our guys to work together". The theme during the training deployment was, "one guard family and total force working together." "It's an opportunity for all of us, active duty, guard and reserve, to learn from each other and to share the wealth of knowledge that we have gained over the years," said Minnis. Members of CE and ATC worked closely with local units, such as the 254th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer Squadron and the 554th RED HORSE Squadron, to ensure everyone received training and complete the job. "The 254th RED HORSE Squadron based out of Andersen Air Force Base has been a huge asset for us, they have been very helpful," said Minnis. Overall, the Airmen put in hard work during deployment and left the project prepared for the next unit. "I thoroughly appreciate what our members have done, and I learned a lot from them," said Minnis.