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557th RED HORSE Airmen lay 'solid' foundation at Al Udeid

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ciara Wymbs
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
AL UDEID AIR BASE, QATAR --  U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron began work on a concrete pad at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, May 21, is now completed and fully operational.

The sunshade concrete project is an addition to an existing sunshade for aircraft assigned to AUAB.

"The previous pavement that was here was asphalt," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Curtis, 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron crew leader. "Whenever an aircraft sits on asphalt for a long time it leaks jet fuel that creates potholes and other imperfections, so we wanted to replace the pavement with concrete that will last a much longer time."

The permanent pad which will be 40 feet wide by 160 feet long is significant to the maintenance community as it enables Airmen the ability to work on aircraft under the sunshade with protection from direct sunlight, where temperatures can get as hot as 120 degrees in summer.

Concrete is more stable ground for aircraft parking in the extreme temperatures here, concrete reflects light instead of absorbing it and lasts longer before repair is needed.
"Heat affects asphalt by causing it to be more flexible," said Curtis. "Concrete is a rigid pavement, considering the heavy weight of aircraft at one time it will be much better for the environment."

The key sustainment project is critical to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing operations and maintenance units. The concrete pad will be able to support the weight of aircraft such as the KC-135, and it provides 18,000 square feet of shade to support maintenance operations.

Maj. Seth Foulkes, 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron site officer-in-charge, said he is proud to be a part of a team rooted in exemplary hard work.

"It is terrific to be a part of the RED HORSE," said Foulkes. "I feel so proud to be a part of the team and its continual tradition of engineering excellence."

The Airmen involved also gain valuable skills that can be used in the future. They all bring some type of specialty in aiding in the success of the project.

Foulkes said a project of this caliber tests the Airmen both, physically and mentally. He is confident that the Airmen working with the 557th ERHS will leave the project better than when they began.