RED HORSE departs for overseas deployment

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  More than 300 Airmen from the 819th and 219th RED HORSE Squadrons departed Great Falls for a deployment to Southwest Asia Aug. 30.

"The 819th and 219th RHS are the first active-guard associate unit in the Air Force and we're excited to be deploying with them in this rotation," said Col. Gregory Rosenmerkel, 819th RHS commander. "The guard brings the same kind of experienced leadership and highly-motivated young Airmen that we have in the active force and it'll be a privilege to work with them all."

The RHS teams provide the Air Force with a mobile, rapid-response civil engineer force to support contingency and special operations in remote, high-threat environments across the globe. Their capabilities enable them to perform heavy damage repair to recover critical facilities and utility systems, particularly those used for aircraft launch and recovery.

"We have definitely trained and prepared for this deployment and we're ready," said Staff Sgt. Corey Dunn, 819th RHS pavements and equipment engineer. "We have a very specific but significant role over there in assisting the people and the coalition forces, and, as with any deployment, it's a good experience. Especially for the younger Airmen, they'll be able to actually see their work, how it is needed and utilized, and how they benefit the overall mission."

This will Sergeant Dunn's fifth deployment with the squadron, and although he's ready to undertake the task at hand, he acknowledges that inevitably, there's no place like home.

"Obviously we have a lot of people with families that will be deploying as well," Sergeant Dunn said. "I'm already ready to get back to be with mine, but of course the mission comes first and it's a good feeling knowing that they're supporting us."

En route to their final destination overseas, the squadrons will first travel to Fort McCoy, Wis., to train with the Army prior to departing for their locations. Training includes learning the rules of engagement, combat life saver skills to include administration of IV's, land navigation, convoy training and small arms training.

"Every single person and AFSC in this unit is important--we need them all. That's why we focus so much on readiness, training, safety, fitness and military standards," Colonel Rosenmerkel said. "I'm so proud of the unique contributions RED HORSE makes to our Nation's mission, from runway construction at remote forward operation bases to well-drilling. It's the highlight of my career to deploy with this team, they inspire me every day to try and be the kind of leader they deserve."

The last time the 819th RHS Airmen deployed to Southwest Asia was March 2, 2009. This is the units fifth deployment since 2004.