Base upkeep throughout the seasons

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sahara L. Fales
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Minot Air Force Base is a unique base; when it snows approximately eight months out of the year, keeping roads clear and safe can be a daunting task. Members of the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron work together in all conditions to ensure mission success.

Unlike some squadrons, throughout the winter months, 5th CES runs 24 hour operations to keep the base running smoothly around the clock. Because of the significant amount of cold days, CE focuses primarily on snow and ice removal from different sections of the flightline, parking lots and main roads on base.

Senior Airman Marshal McAlister, 5th CES pavement and construction journeyman, has been at Minot for a year and a half. After being previously stationed in Guam, he's learned how to take on a new part of his job.

"When I was stationed in Guam, I was in a squadron where we did a lot of large scale construction projects," McAlister said.  "With the weather difference, about half of our mission here in Minot is dedicated to snow and ice removal."

McAlister begins his day at 7 a.m. Shift change allows him the opportunity to check the priority list and take the reins. Without any time to waste, he begins tasking the appropriate Airmen for the job.

"Right when I come in to work I take over from the previous shift. During pass over, I learn which parking lots and parts of the runway have already been cleared, then it's my job to prioritize what still needs to be done and assign Airmen to do it," McAlister said.

McAlister separates the priority list by levels; priority level one being the most urgent, and priority level three being areas that can wait.

Examples of PL1 would be the flightline, the Base Operations building and other high traffic areas, while examples of PL3 include the dorm, commissary and Base Exchange parking lots.

In the summer months, CE spends most of their time on concrete and asphalt repairs, tending to lawn care, replacing and installing new street signs, and fixing roads and curbs, McAlister said.

Along with base beautification, CE takes advantage of nice weather to complete new construction projects.

"During this past summer we built the new search facility by the south gate. With help from other shops, we installed the building pad, constructed the building and the road leading to it," McAlister said.

For McAlister, teamwork amongst shops is what makes the job easier during the winter months.

"The cold temperatures here can cause some of our equipment to break," McAlister said. "We depend a lot on maintenance and the Logistics Readiness Squadron to get them repaired and back to the shop so we can get our job done."

No matter what season it is, the 5th CES is working year-round to keep the base safe and the mission running.

"Ultimately our mission is to support the flying and the missile mission," McAlister said. "Our goal is to make sure that the planes can take off, the missile sites are clear and accessible, and all other Airmen can do their mission as well."