Voyagers

Brig. Gen. (Sel) Anthony Cotton shakes hands with Master Sgt. Shane Matt, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant, duing in-processing at building 3080 June 23. The 341st Missile Wing Commander and Command Chief Master Sergeant were welcoming the more than 20 engineers back to Malmstrom following their deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jessica Galloway)

Welcome back 341st CES Big Sky Engineers

Published July 6, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Katrina Heikkinen
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The 341st Civil Engineering Squadron celebrated the return of more than 20 civil engineers from a 6-month deployment in the Middle East.

Three Airmen arrived June 18 and the others arrived June 22.

Returning with high morale, these civil engineers came back with big smiles on their faces.

From basic upgrades to building wooden floors to constructing tents, these civil engineers made a huge difference over a short period of time.

"We had an awesome deployment," said Staff Sgt. Noel Gonzalez, 341 CES carpenter. "No one hesitated. We went into a country and there was a big mission that was coming. We were given a task to build 42 tents in a month which included wood floors."

For one heavy equipment operator, the deployment created an opportunity to perform well at his job.

"I learned a lot as far as the job but also learned to work well with other people," said Staff Sgt. Jason Ward, 341 CES heavy equipment operator.

The bond between the engineers made the overall morale very high and helped to successfully accomplish the mission.

"It was a great crew and everyone bonded really well," said Master Sgt. Michael Rogers, 341st CES heating, ventilation and air conditioning NCO in charge. "We did an awesome job out there. It was a great deployment for us."