Surveys and maps; geobase specialty

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Janine Thibault
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Eielson Air Force Base is home to unique features and locations as the Air Force's most northern base on American soil. With the vast amount of land Eielson AFB covers, the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron Geobase Flight provides the layout and plans for the installation to keep it all in perspective.

Geobase flight is tasked with making and updating maps, and maintaining drafted plans and layouts using several methods including global positioning system surveys.

Surveying is a method to find the exact location of a point including elevation and coordinates so the information will be available as a reference point. The specifics are important as the team tries to know everything about the land they are working with to provide the best details in their final products. One method of achieving the information needed is by using GPS equipment that brings satellite signals into hand-held equipment so the data can be accurately interpreted.

In addition, the flight adapts to any necessary responsibilities, said Airman 1st Class Allen Gratzer, a Geobase geographic information system technician with the flight.

Although the Airmen can perform all of the tasks, they each have their specialty which allows them to work in the areas they enjoy the most, said Airman 1st Class Kyle Riggenbach, another Geobase geographic information system technician.

"My favorite task is surveying. You can find the information you need in multiple ways," said Airman Gratzer. "Our job is very creativity friendly."

Most surveying takes place in the summer while the winter season focuses more on producing maps and organizing the data.

Before Geobase, many tasks were duplicated with money wasted as a result of the repetition. Their contributions make to base operations are immense, he said. Many different fields rely on them for the information they provide. They work closely with the 354th Security Forces Squadron, 354th Medical Group, Wing Safety, other 354th CES offices, and tenant units including the 168th Air Refueling Wing.

The CES makes up 90 percent of the customers because the information relates directly to many of the squadron's primary jobs, said Airman Riggenbach.

On-going training is constant to keep the Airmen up to speed with the necessary skills to make proper maps. Making maps to Air Force standard is complex and to complete tasks with the necessary precision Airmen have to stay current with techniques, she said. The introduction of new technologies also requires the training to always be conducted.

"From the initial training to where we are now, we are always increasing our skills to satisfy our customers better," said Airman Riggenbach. "We are on top of our game."

The work environment in the Geobase flight lacks the tension that could lead to a stressful atmosphere. Although some projects have a strict timeline, the Airmen are given specific deadlines to allow them to work at a pace which will minimize mistakes, ensuring that once a task is finished it does not have to be repeated.

The flight is one of a few units on base with a work area outside of the confines of their walls. They not only get to see where others work and what others do, they assist others with information in turn to help them perform their tasks better. Geobase has a large responsibility and shares the information so the bonds between squadrons are strengthened.