RED HORSE breaks ground on new training field

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Angelique Smythe
  • 36th Wing public affairs
Airmen broke ground on the Northwest Field Expeditionary Training Campus here Oct. 11.

The 554th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operations Repair Squadron Engineers will accomplish $20 million in construction over the next five years.

"Right now we are only 74 strong, but we'll have our full manpower of 160 by September 2007," said Capt. Craig Thomas, 554th RED HORSE Squadron officer in charge.

The entire complex will cost approximately $240 million, which also includes military construction projects and various tertiary projects. It will be fully operational by 2016.

In addition to housing the RED HORSE, the campus will also be home to Combat Communications, Commando Warrior and Silver Flag.

At least half of the 74 Airmen have been re-assigned to Andersen AFB from Osan Air Base, South Korea.

"We couldn't have gotten this far without the help of Team Andersen," said Captain Thomas. "(They) helped us out with everything from facility space to equipment to personnel.

"RED HORSE units possess weapons, construction and support vehicles/equipment and highly trained, multi-skilled engineering, vehicle maintenance, food service, supply and medical personnel providing heavy repair capability and construction support to a theater Air Component Commander," he said. "They are a highly mobile response force that supports contingency and special operations worldwide."

There are seven active-duty, Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard RED HORSE squadrons. The 554th RED HORSE Squadron is the only permanently assigned U.S. military heavy construction capability in the Pacific.