Don’t look down: Engineers go to great heights to fix infrastructure, airfield

Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron replace airfield lights at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 12, 2017. In order to prevent accidents on the airfield, the lights were replaced to help personnel driving vehicles see at night and reduce accidents during hours of darkness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)

Senior Airman Peter Palacios, a 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron electrical systems journeyman, operates a boom lift at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 12, 2017. Electricians are responsible for installing, repairing and maintaining electrical networks, ensuring that the primary source of energy for the installation is always available. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)

Airman 1st Class Brandon Ramirez is a 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron power production apprentice, deployed out of Aviano Air Base, Italy. As a power production Airman, Ramirez works on systems that may require him to go up great heights, necessitating multiple safety measures to minimize the risk of injury. While falls are the leading cause of injuries in the U.S. Air Force, proper education, risk management and proactive supervision have been major in lowering these types of injuries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)

Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron pose for a photo at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 12, 2017. Civil Engineers work on systems that require them to go up to great heights, requiring multiple safety measures to minimize the risk of injury. Other than personal protective equipment like gloves and hard hats, engineers must wear a harness in case they fall. While falls are the leading cause of injuries in the U.S. Air Force, proper education, risk management and proactive supervision have been major in lowering these types of injuries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)

Staff Sgt. Mark Cox, a 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron electrical systems craftsman, observes as a boom lift rises at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 12, 2017. Electrical systems Airmen are responsible for installing, repairing and maintaining electrical networks, ensuring that the primary source of energy for an installation is always available. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)

Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron replace airfield lights at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 12, 2017. The lights were replaced to help personnel driving vehicles, preventing them from hitting people, aircraft or other vehicles during hours of darkness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)

Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron replace an airfield light at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 12, 2017. Engineers perform an inherently dangerous job, on top of the risks of being military members in a combat zone, some jobs also require them to go to great heights or work with malfunctioning equipment. In order to prevent injuries, engineers and all Airmen receive education and training on proper safety measures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class BrieAnna Stillman)