EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Over the last winter Eielson saw a lot of snow, and the Airmen at the Snow Barn worked extra hard to make sure it did not impede the mission.
When the snow melts areas of the base begin to flood; sand becomes loose, and the roads take some damage. Luckily, the “Dirt Boyz” at the Snow Barn do what is necessary to combat the forces of nature.
“During breakup we have a variety of different tasks to complete in preparation for the summer,” said Airman 1st Class Jerred Davis, a 354th Civil Engineer Squadron pavement and construction equipment operator. “Depending on the day we may be tasked with cleaning or fixing the streets by re-doing asphalt or concrete and repairing potholes. We have various jobs to do in preparation for the coming months.”
Every year Eielson hosts hundreds of aircraft accompanied by thousands of service members from both joint and coalition partners for different flying exercises, and all the aircraft attending depend on a functioning airfield.
“We are continually cleaning the airfield,” said Staff Sgt. Jacob Hatcher, a 354th Civil Engineer Squadron pavement and construction equipment operator. “Everyday two Airmen are tasked as airfield sweepers and they are out there making sure these planes can take off and land safely.”
During the winter, Airmen from the Snow Barn work day and night to ensure infrastructure isn’t compromised to keep the mission going. Even though the weather may warm up, the battle is still far from over.
“When the snow melts it begins to pool up around the base,” said Davis. “One of the things we have to do is use pumps to flush water from areas such as airfields and roadsides to somewhere it can drain properly.”
According to the Federal Highway Administration, pavement temperature can negatively affect road infrastructure. With the contrast of sub-zero winters and relatively hot summers in the Interior of Alaska, maintaining roads becomes a year-long priority for the “Dirt Boyz.”
“A big thing for us is cleaning all the sand we put down in the winter for traction,” said Hatcher. “It takes a lot of work to get it all off the road. In the winter it provides traction, but once the ice melts it becomes a slipping hazard. Also the cleaning of streets contributes to base beautification.”
Whether its street cleaning for 19 hours or fixing potholes, the “Dirt Boyz” do their part to make sure Eielson’s mission can be fulfilled.
“Our job is to make the base better,” said Hatcher. “We make the roads less hazardous and the airfield safer for the aircraft.”