Civil engineers help secure southern border

Citizen Airman, August, 2004

Civil engineers from five Air Force Reserve Command units traveled to Arizona in June to participate in a joint project to improve homeland security.

Members of the 917th Civil Engineer Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., 442nd CES, Whiteman AFB, Mo., 944th CES, Luke AFB, Ariz., and 301st CES and 810th Civil Engineer Flight, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, went to the town of Bisbee to help build fences and vehicle barriers and also improve roads along the border between Mexico and the United States.

While deployed, the engineers worked as part of Joint Task Force Six, which relies exclusively on volunteers from all branches of the military to provide counterdrug support to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection organization, part of the Department of Homeland Security.

Mario Valdez, special operations supervisor for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said volunteers receive training opportunities directly related to their primary military functions and the chance to work hand in hand with other service members in a total-force environment.

In addition to improving homeland security, the work provides a better life and protection for citizens and landowners along the border.

"Private landowners complained about the foot traffic (from drug traffickers and illegal immigrants) wearing down the vegetation for the cattle, lots of trash left on their land and no way to contain their cattle," Mr. Valdez said. "With the new fences, the landowners have more control over the cattle. Also, residents feel safer with the fences up because it makes it harder for people to cross the border and enter their backyards."

Chief Master Sgt. Russell Wilkinson, 917th CES, did not hesitate to volunteer or encourage others to do so.

"This is an opportunity for us to get great training, work together with other services and units, and directly support homeland security," he said. "We couldn't pass it up."

"This type of training is beneficial because it builds teamwork within the unit and broadens the experience and knowledge of individuals," said Capt. Charles Chapman of the 917th. "Working and living together for an extended time creates a more cohesive team and makes working together more efficient."

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents are happy to have the support of JTF-6, said Gilbert Estrada, senior tactical coordinator for the U.S. Border Patrol.

"Our borders are safer because of the JTF-6 and the military personnel who have volunteered to help," Mr. Estrada said. "The military members working down here are having a direct impact on homeland security. In the early 1990s, when the task force project started, there were little or no fences in some areas, no cameras, no lights and no vehicle guards. Now they have it all."

"With the new additions and improvements, my agents are able to patrol the land more quickly and effectively," Mr. Valdez said. "It has also allowed me to reallocate many resources to areas that were neglected before. It is definitely a win-win situation for everyone involved." (2nd Lt. Tori White, 917th Wing public affairs, Barksdale AFB.)