Reservists employ innovation to modernize majestic national park

by Maj. Brooke Cortez
482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

7/24/2014 - HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- Airmen from the 482nd Civil Engineering Squadron ventured by ship to work on improving conditions at the Dry Tortugas National Park for their annual training, July 12-23.

Through the Innovative Readiness Training program, members from the squadron worked side-by-side with National Park Service personnel on projects that enhance living conditions in the park while ensuring traditional reservists receive critical training opportunities.

The Department of Defense's IRT Program is a volunteer opportunity for the National Guard and Reserves that provides training benefits for military personnel while addressing the needs of underserved American communities. Through this program, military units refine their engineering, health care, diving, and transportation skills by performing services and developing projects in and for communities that otherwise would not have the resources to conduct them on their own.

"No money came out of the Air Force budget for this project, and the overall cost is low," explained Chief Master Sgt. David Hanck, 482nd CES superintendent. "This was a catalyst for more national parks to provide input for future IRT projects. It's a win-win partnership, they get the parts, we provide the labor, and our traditional reservist's get the training."

In addition to the traditional reservist's participating, six former members of the 482nd CES volunteered to help with projects and offer enhanced training through their depth of knowledge.

"Most the time nowadays in CE, it's plug-and-play parts and they don't get the same kind of training," said Hanck. "They don't get that hands-on instruction on how to build something. Now, if they go to theater, they'll be more equipped to troubleshoot and go into depth to fix things in the field. This platform for retiree's providing enhanced training is something I've never seen."

One volunteer, former 482nd CES commander, retired  Lt. Col. Jerry Cheeseman, said a conversation 42 years ago initially sparked this partnership with the park service.

"The conversation led to the fact that the park service has trouble getting contractors to come out here and work. It's very expensive," said Cheeseman. "We have the labor and know-how to help them, so we went out to see how we could help them."

Kelly Clark, Dry Tortugas National Park cultural resource representative, stated the park operates on a budget of approximately $2 million.

"We need good partnerships like these and we sat down with the 482nd to develop a five year plan for projects here," she said. "Every single project they do increases morale for the staff here."

During the IRT, reservist's worked on a reverse osmosis water purification unit that proved to be logistically challenging.

"The purification unit had a leak in the drop pipe, and the drop pipe was in the ocean 30 feet out," said Hanck. "We had to study the tides to figure out when we could get out there to fix it, which included cutting the pipe and threading it in adverse conditions."

While the environment is harsh, the Airmen didn't seem to mind limited access to modern technology and conveniences like being able to go to the store for spare parts.

"It's harsh here ... you don't see anything out here, but it's peaceful and quite," said Hanck. "Cell phone reception stops working about three miles from Key West, but the guys don't seem to mind. They enjoy being able to completely focus on learning and training."

During their time at the park, Airmen and retiree's accomplished many projects, including remodeling the park ranger's office, rewiring electrical and updated plumbing in two houses, installing dry wall, demolishing a boat dock, and air conditioning installation in several areas.

Future projects include restoring a walkway bridge, constructing temporary housing for migrants, installation of a new reverse osmosis water purification unit and replacing sewer lines at neighboring Loggerhead Key.

The Dry Tortugas National Park is actually located nearly 70 miles west of Key West. The 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands, according to NPS. Within the park is Fort Jefferson National Monument, which is the largest all-masonry fort in the U.S., built between 1846 and 1875 to protect the nation's gateway to the Gulf of Mexico.