Utilities Airmen keep wing flowing

Malcolm Wright, equipment operator from the 4 CES Pavement and Heavy Equipment shop, uses the front end loader to push a 16 foot wide by 16 foot long slab of concrete. Due to a 10 inch water main break, several 20 inch thick concrete slabs were removed to locate the leak. The water main pipe fed the fire hydrant system for the aircraft ramp. (U.S. Air Frce photo by Master Sgt. Brandt Smith)

Utilities Airmen keep wing flowing

Published Feb. 3, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Marissa Tucker
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- For every toilet flushed, faucet turned on and summertime dip in the base pools, the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron Water/Fuels Systems Maintenance Shop had a hand in making it all possible here.

As the modest maintainers of the base, they ensure the 4th Fighter Wing remains environmentally safe by maintaining in- and outdoor piping that include the base water supply and sewage systems.

"Anything that handles gas, water, air, fire suppression or waste, (we) have a hand in," said Bret Brofft, the plumber leader in the flight. From water mains and fire hydrants to septic tanks and sewer systems, utilities Airmen are always on the job ensuring the base runs properly. The work can get dirty at times, but the finished product is well worth it.

An Air Force veteran who has been at Seymour Johnson since 1991, Brofft has seen many changes throughout the career field in his time here. The most recent addition to the field was liquid fuel systems, a method of safely delivering gasoline to fuel trucks for aircraft. Instead of retraining Airmen on this specialty at a technical school, they will study career development guides and receive on-the-job training to become proficient, said Tech Sgt. Adam Haffner, 4th CES non-commissioned officer in charge of utilities.

Adapting to changes are an essential part of life for civil engineer Airmen. Because of low manning and the frequent deployment tempo, sometimes the flight must fill slots for other career fields in the squadron such as carpenters and electricians.

"Everyone here has to be flexible," Haffner said. "When you are deployed, there's always something to be done. Even when you are finished, somebody has something to do. We keep that same mentality here."

Although the shop is currently at a third of its regular capacity, the tight-knit office of Airmen and civilians, including some who have more than 20 years of experience under their provides the skills necessary to keep the wings mission flowing.