Operation FOB The Builder

Airmen use a utility vehicle, a board and body weight to level the ground to build a new storage facility in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Feb. 13, 2014. Due to a the lack of available means, the team resorted to many innovative techniques over the course of their week spent on the project.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandria Bandin/Released)

Operation FOB The Builder

Airmen level the ground outside the newly built fitness center in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Feb. 12, 2014. They utilize manual labor to ground the dirt and rocks in order to place a walkway for Airmen to safely gain access to the new facility.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandria Bandin/Released)

Operation FOB The Builder

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Scott Kapanke and Airman 1st Class Milly Bass use ropes as leverage while trying to secure a tent liner in the new MQ-1 Combat Air Portal storage facility for the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron Detachment 1, Jalalabad, Afghanistan Feb. 13, 2014. The Airmen had traveled in from Kandahar to assist with the project. (U.S. Air Force photo bySenior Airman Alexandria Bandin/ Released)

Operation FOB The Builder

Airmen of Operation FOB The Builder work together to pull the top layer over the side of an Alaska Tent built for MQ-1 storage in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Feb. 13, 2014. The tent measures over 30 feet wide with a top layer providing a significant amount of weight requiring all available hands to help. Ropes are tied to the ends as all slowly pull the large fixture to its final point.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandria Bandin/Released)

Operation FOB The Builder

Airmen in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, come together to lend a hand while loading gym equipment into the newly built fitness center for the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron Detachment 1, Feb. 12, 2014. Before the new construction, the equipment was being held in a small area that made it difficult to utilize.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandria Bandin/Released)

Operation FOB The Builder

Airmen from the 451st Air Expeditionary Group stand in the entrance of an Alaska tent that they just completed erecting at Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Feb. 13, 2014. This was one of two tents built in just three days by the crew that traveled in from Kandahar, providing over 2,000 square feet of needed space to the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron Detachment 1. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Rivera/Released)

Operation FOB The Builder

Airmen from the 451st Air Expeditionary Group relax around an outside morale area built for the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron Detachment 1 at Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Feb. 14, 2014. The Black Stallion logo displays the pride put into just one of many projects completed by the group of Airmen that traveled in from Kandahar to assist with the work.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jeremy Wilkins/ Released)

Operation FOB The Builder

Published Feb. 22, 2014
By Senior Airman Alexandria Bandin
451 Air Expeditionary Group

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Recently, six Airmen ranging from an Airman First Class to a Chief Master Sergeant forward-deployed from Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan to complete a four-day mission designed to enhance the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron's Detachment 1 combat capabilities in Jalalabad.

This all-volunteer 451st Air Expeditionary Group mission was four months in the making and was a true case of Airmen helping Airmen within our expeditionary mission set to both enhance the mission and quality of life.

The effort involved over 20 Airmen and Soldiers from Kandahar and Jalalabad who sourced tents, materials and airlift. The construction crew consisted of Airmen from across the air expeditionary group, none of which were civil engineers, but all of which had a 455th Air Expeditionary Wing's vulture ferocity and winning spirit. Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Bomar, 451st Air Expeditionary Group, led Operation FOB The Builder alongside Senior Master Sgt. Mark Mueller, Master Sgt. Scott Schreck, Master Sgt. Scott Kapanke, Senior Airman Alexandria Bandin, and Airman 1st Class Milly Bass.

Over the past few months, the group of non-commissioned officers has been volunteering their time and labor as the Black Stallion crew, improving countless areas around Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. These improvements touch every NATO partner that operates on Kandahar Airfield. This time, with the help from some willing Airmen, the Black Stallions traveled to another FOB to assist fellow Airmen. Their primary objective was to increase storage and maintenance areas for MQ-1 Combat Air Patrols at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, a small Forward Operating Base, with as little equipment as possible, while also increasing quality of life.

"The crew successfully enhanced our plausible combat capability by 20 percent. They provided well over 2,000 square feet of storage space, shelter from weather conditions, and increased maintenance area for our Combat Air Patrols. We now have the potential to surge additional aircraft and provide more mission support to the ground forces." said Maj. Gregory, commander of the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, Detachment 1.

Upon arrival in Jalalabad, the crew wasted no time as they successfully built a new fitness center within the first 24 hours. Over the next few days, the compound received a transformation by also gaining an outside fitness area, a large-scale storage tent, new sidewalks, expanded heavy aircraft maintenance workspace and an outdoor morale area. Airmen from the 62nd ERS, Det 1 were eager to help as they too came out to help with Operation FOB the Builder.

Teamwork and camaraderie flowed throughout the FOB as sweat and smiles filled the faces of every Airman who lent a hand. From swinging a hammer to leveling new ground, new limits of work ethic and determination were shared by all. When they didn't have a tool, they improvised and came up with an expeditionary solution.

The team found through hard work and devoted support that more than just space could be increased during their operation. In the end, morale, living conditions and mission capabilities were all significantly changed for the Airmen operating at this remote location. At the same time, the volunteer Airmen realized what being an "Airman" really means...it's not just a title, it's an attitude.

"Who would have thought a small group of aircraft maintenance, logistics readiness squadron, security forces and operators could achieve the results we accomplished in only three days? It just goes to show with a little innovation, motivation, teamwork, and heart Airmen are unstoppable. It's been a great week to be an Airman. We pushed our bodies and often our creativity to the limits, while enjoying the work effort, accomplishments, and fellowship with one another. The selfless service and excellence displayed by our Airmen this week motivates me as a leader and reassures me our future Air Force is in good hands," remarked Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Bomar.

(Lt. Col. Chris E. Boring and Chief Master Sgt. Anthony E. Bomar contributed to this story)