CIVAIRES

Tech. Sgt. Mathew Fox, 819th RED HORSE Squadron security manager, shows Beth Zimmerhanzel and Rory Cullen, both members of the CIVAIRES program, the different parts of a weapon. The members of the CIVAIRES program all had a chance to browse several different displays around the RED HORSE hangar during a luncheon Nov. 1. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Cortney Paxton)

CIVAIRES

Tech. Sgt. Kellie Kemp, 819th RED HORSE Squadron NCO in charge of services readiness and plans, cuts the 819th RHS cake while Staff Sgt. Cara Crump, 819th RHS supply craftsman, stands by to place the pieces on the table. A luncheon was part of the CIVAIRES orientation tour Nov. 1. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Cortney Paxton)

CIVAIRES

Debbie Lewis, a CIVAIRES member, speaks to Staff Sgt. Antonio Ecevedo, 819th RED HORSE Squadron heavy equipment operator (left), and Airman 1st Class Cecilio Fantauzzi, pavements and equipment apprentice, about the backhoe behind them, and their experience as part of the RED HORSE Squadron. The backhoe was one of several types of equipment on display during the CIVAIRES tour. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Cortney Paxton)

CIVAIRES gets a taste of RED HORSE

Published Nov. 14, 2011
By Airman Cortney Paxton
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Several members of the Great Falls CIVAIRES program visited the 819th RED HORSE Squadron Airfields Hangar for a luncheon and orientation tour Nov. 1.

CIVAIRES is a group comprised of the dignitary spouses from the Great Falls community and Malmstrom Air Force Base. The program allows the spouses to develop a sense of understanding for the work their partners do and to foster support for all kinds of military operations. Their tour of the 819th RHS showcased, specifically, the capabilities of RED HORSE Airmen.

"They're going to see, most importantly our Airmen, but as they tour around in the hangar they're going to go look at equipment and meet our Airmen who are going to explain to them what we do," said Chief Master Sgt. Cari Kent, 819th RHS logistics chief. "We'll also provide them with a mission brief that's really, put into civilian terms, what we do for our nation - how we're civil engineers who go around and do special projects for either the Department of Defense or civilians. We even have people who are headed over to Minot to help with the (flood disaster) relief."

The orientation tour started with a lunch, prepared and served by Airmen within the Squadron, as Maj. Andrew Cullen, 819th RHS director of operations; filling in for Col. Mark Zimmerhanzel, 819th RHS commander; gave them the squadron's mission brief. After the brief, CIVAIRES members were allowed to browse several kinds of equipment used within the squadron and talk with the Airmen that operate it.

"Well we do so many things here at RED HORSE, both on our deployments and here on Malmstrom and around the country, that it's just a pleasure to be able to talk about what our Airmen are capable of and all of the different skills that we bring, and how it impacts their day to day lives and the lives of other Airmen who are deployed around the force," Cullen said.

By the end of the orientation tour, the CIVAIRES members left with a better understanding of Malmstrom's biggest tenant unit.

"They're not just about building they're about everything from medical to security to logistics," said Debbie Lewis, CIVAIRES member. "They're like they're own little city."