9th CES keeps Beale from heating up
By Senior Airman Justin Parsons, 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
/ Published August 02, 2018
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Summer months in Northern California mean high temperatures and an even higher workload for Airmen at the 9th Civil Engineer Squadron heating, ventilation and air conditioning shop.
The Airmen at HVAC maintain support for the base while being taxed with moving into the newly opened CES building. Despite these circumstances, they have not allowed their spirits to dwindle or their work ethic to slide.
“When I come to work I keep my mind on the end result, which is the customer’s satisfaction and morale and that keeps us going,” said Airman 1st Class Charles Song, 9th CES HVAC shop technician.
HVAC supports vital mission sets which include the U-2 Dragon Lady and RQ-4 Global Hawk operations, Space Warning Squadron, intelligence squadrons and other units who wouldn't be able to continue the mission if HVAC failed.
“If we don't continually keep up on our responsibilities then that will effect the overall mission here,” said Tech. Sgt. David Dingess, 9th CES HVAC shop craftsman. “Air conditioning plays a vital role in keeping the equipment these squadrons rely on from overheating.”
In keeping up with the high work tempo Airmen have found a way to focus on supporting approximately 4.8 billion dollars in infrastructure, spanning 600 facilities, while simultaneously moving their entire shop across the installation.
According to Song, they have broken their shop into smaller working teams allowing them to attack both tasks at the same time. Even with less members on each team and a high workload he has found a silver lining.
“There are less of us working on specific jobs but that hasn’t stopped everyone from putting in 100 percent effort,” said Song. “In fact, I think we’re pushing ourselves farther, which is making us stronger and has given us the opportunity to gain experience.”
Being a part of a shop that plays such a pivotal supporting role to the mission, especially when temperatures reach triple digits, gives Dingess a lot of pride.
“I have a lot of satisfaction in what I do here knowing that my job has importance,” said Dingess. It's really an honor.”