Dirt Boys: Keeping the surfaces of Dover Air Force Base operationally maintained

Published Aug. 6, 2013
By Senior Airman Jared Duhon
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Aug. 7 marks the completion of a project to rebuild a large section of perimeter fencing, located adjacent to the commercial gate and Base Exchange, after being damaged by an automobile earlier in July here.

The incident caused significant destruction to 200 feet of the fence costing an estimated $6000.

A temporary fence was put in place to keep the base secure while some parts were being special ordered said Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Ferguson, 436th Civil Engineer Squadron project planner.

"After security forces removed the vehicle the team was able to untangle the fence," said Ferguson. "The task was accomplished in a little under four hours."

It was possible for the team to salvage some of the fencing and repurpose it for the temporary one, but to rebuild the fence; parts needed to be purchased said Staff Sgt. Adam Ballash, 436th Civil Engineer Squadron pavement and equipment operator.

"We didn't have the materials so we had to do the best we could," said Ballash. "We did have some old posts we put in the ground to replace the broken ones; stretched some of the fence that was still useable and tossed what was too stretched out, and whatever was left with we brought out a patch to temporarily fix it."

Ballash did say the outriggers that held the barbed wire and top pole remained undamaged and were reusable.

"It was just a pain to try and untangle the chaos," said Ballash

More than just repairing damaged fences, pavement and equipment operators also do a wide variety of other jobs on base.

"'Dirt boys' (and girls) are involved in anything horizontal or things that go in the ground, plus fences," said Ballash. "We handle concrete, asphalt and use different types of equipment to move earth and remove snow to help maintain the base appearance. We do a lot of base beautification. We make Dover AFB look amazing."

More important than looks is functionality. The main objective for the pavement and equipment operators is to maintain the runway. Rubber and snow removal are the biggest way they keep it operating.

"They do excellent work on the airfield," said Tech Sgt. Erica Prince, 436th Operations Support Squadron airfield manager. "We have a great working relationship, when we request services they are quick to help us and produce quality work."