EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Pennsylvania Air National Guard Airmen spent two weeks in sunny Florida providing a significant upgrade to the 96th Test Wing’s communications infrastructure.
Airmen from the 211th Engineering Installation Squadron in a total force integration effort with 96th Communications Squadron installed fiber optic cabling across 12 buildings along Eglin’s flightline. The two-week project, which swapped out old cables and created additional capacity for future growth saved the base an estimated $138,000.
The 211th EIS, part of the 193rd Special Operations Wing, needed a mission to conduct deployment training and eyed Hurlburt Field for a possible location. Eglin’s proximity to Hurlburt and requirements fit the unit’s needs, and a partnership began.
"By integrating the unique skills and experiences of the Air National Guard with the expertise of our active-duty counterparts, we achieved a result neither unit could have accomplished as efficiently or effectively on their own,” said Lt. Col. David Coté, 96th CS commander. “This project demonstrates how we can leverage the strengths of both components to maximize mission readiness and resource utilization."
In all, the ANG unit’s Airmen installed 2,000 feet of fiber optics and tripled the amount of cabling pathways by installing 3,000 feet of flexible ducting for Eglin. The project also knocked out numerous proficiency and refresher training tasks for the engineering unit. It also provided direct, hands-on experience of underground fiber optic installation.
“By fully integrating the capabilities of the ANG and active-duty components, the Air Force is ensuring it remains ready to meet any challenge, anytime, anywhere,” said Coté.
This isn’t the first time Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units have ventured to the 96th CS and other Eglin units for training. It is a common occurrence to see reservists and guardsmen augmenting or filling a needed role on base.