Air Force civilians deploy in support of war Published Oct. 31, 2008 By Wayne Crenshaw 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE,Ga. -- Thousands of Air Force civilians toil away for years and never get to see first-hand how their efforts contribute to fighting wars. That's no longer the case for Harry Smith, an engineer who's worked seven years here, along with John Lester, an equipment specialist with 25 years at Robins AFB. They were part of a four-person team from the 642nd Combat Sustainment Group that deployed to the Middle East in support of a request from Air Force Central Command, which needed expertise in correcting air conditioner problems at bases in Qatar and Kuwait. After three weeks of preparation that included chemical warfare training, the Air Force Materiel Command team - which included 1st Lt. John Machuca and Tech Sgt. Jason Blurton -- deployed Sept. 30 and returned to Robins AFB in mid-October. While deployed, they worked on flight line air conditioners that are critical to the operation of aircraft electronics. The team made modifications that improved the operation of the units, ensuring that missions are not delayed because of electronics problems. The civilians lived much like any Soldier, wearing military field uniforms, staying in 40-man tents and working 12-hour days. They said it was an eye-opening experience to see the equipment they work on every day at Robins AFB actually used in combat operations. "We saw not just the equipment that had the most pressing issue," Mr. Smith said. "We saw some of the other ground support equipment in operation and some of the problems encountered. It's not just temperatures, but sand and dust infiltration. It's very harsh." The deployment of civilian maintenance personnel is so unusual that many of the military personnel were quite surprised to see them there but appreciated their efforts, the team members said. Mr. Lester said he wished more civilians at the base could get the same opportunity, even if it's for no other reason than to see the equipment that is maintained at Robins AFB getting put to use. "It gives you a sense of where we fit in with the civil service jobs at Robins AFB and how that translates to the war effort," Mr. Lester said. Sergeant Blurton also saw value in sending civilians to the area. "I thought the experience was a good one for the civilians who went with us so they could see what the field goes through," Sergeant Blurton said. "They can actually see how it works, and you don't get any more real than the desert." Col. Keesey Miller, commander of the 642nd CBSG, said the team accomplished a lot during its deployment. He said the air conditioners are connected to the planes on the ground through a door that connects to the duct work in the plane. With the high desert temperatures, which topped out at 106 degrees when the team was there, and the planes being unsheltered, it's tough for the units to keep the planes cool enough. That causes major problems, Colonel Miller said, because without sufficient cooling the crews can't turn on the electronics and complete preflight checks. The crews would have to get the planes airborne and fly around for about an hour until the internal cooling system brought temperatures down enough that the electronics could be switched on and checked. So there was an hour delay, at least, and then if there was a problem with the electronics, the mission had to be aborted. "The team showed a whole bunch of warfighters in the field that Warner Robins Air Logistics Center will do everything it can to help warfighters get their mission done," Colonel Miller said.