They sweat so Airmen stay cool

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Matthew Hubby
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  As the weather begins to heat up, many Airmen at Dover Air Force Base, Del., will enjoy the cool, refreshing breeze of their office's air-conditioning units. But, when the units break or do not produce cool air, who gets called to fix the issue?

The 436th Civil Engineer Squadron heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration team ensures that all of the climate control units on base are functioning properly. Spring, summer, fall or winter, they are on-call to repair and maintain Dover AFB's climate-control units.

"We're busiest the first week of a seasonal change-over," said Master Sgt. Brandon Arnall, NCO in charge of HVAC/R with the 436th CES. "During each season, we're preparing for the next. We perform function checks to ensure systems are ready to start up next season, while making repairs and performing preventative maintenance. During the first few weeks of a change-over, we respond to calls for systems running too cold or too hot, or that are having leaks in the piping. We fine-tune them until the temperature and humidity are just right."

This fine-tuning is only effective if the systems remain maintained, and that is where the HVAC/R specialists' training comes in.

HVAC/R specialists undergo 21 weeks of technical school before arriving to their duty station. Once there, they partake in another 13-15 months of on-the-job training which includes 11 volumes of Career Development Courses. The majority of their training is hands-on, focusing on the fundamentals of their craft.

"We are a multi-faceted workforce. With knowledge in electrical, structural, utility and refrigeration work, we are a 'use it or lose it' career field, you have to use your skills every day to stay proficient. Every day new technology is being developed; you never know what tomorrow will bring," said Arnall.

As summer continues on, Dover AFB energy policy will be keeping the thermostats set to 79 degrees. By ensuring all windows are closed and turning off lights and computer monitors when leaving the room, everyone can help the base save energy over the summer season, said Arnall.