374th Civil Engineer Squadron cleans up after typhoon Trami

Airman 1st Class Benjamin McCranie, 374th Civil Engineer Squadron pavement and equipment technician, dumps debris into the back of a truck, Oct. 1, 2018, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Clearing fallen trees and debris from roads and parking lots was a priority during typhoon recovery efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin West)

374th Civil Engineer Squadron cleans up after tyhoon Trami

Published Oct. 1, 2018
By Senior Airman Kevin West
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Yokota Air Base, Japan -- Airmen with the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron, Operations Flight, worked to recover the base following typhoon Trami at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Oct. 1, 2018.

The 374 CES recalled members of the operations flight at 3:00a.m. in preparation for recovery efforts. There primary goal was to make sure that Yokota was operational.

“Everybody got recalled at 3:00 a.m. this morning, said Master Sgt. Derek L. Curtis, 374 CES, Noncommissined Officer in Charge of structures. “We are all working together to make sure there is no mission delay and it is safe for people to go to work. We started off base on route 16 to make sure everyone out there is good to go and then we came in and started taking care of us.”

Damage to the base included; damaged powerlines, facilities, military family housing, on and off of base and more than forty downed trees.

“For the typhoon relief we are going around checking that everywhere on base is safe,” said Airman 1st Class Drew Moore, 374 CES pavements and equipment shop. “We will be able to clear up any fallen trees or any debris. It is all about safety, making sure that there is no damage to the roads, damage to infrastructures so that everyone can carry on their duties and personal lives with safety.”

The 374 CES is prepared to ensure Yokota’s readiness in times of emergency or disaster.

“Everybody is always ready to go,” said Curtis. “What’s special about CE is that even though a lot of the crafts are not interchangeable, they are always willing to lend a helping hand. I like to say ‘many hands make light work’. The more people you have picking up branches and sweeping leaves the faster the base gets back to looking like nothing ever happened.”