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2nd CES water and fuel systems Airmen keep the mission flowing

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Luke Hill
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  "Be shapeless, like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves."- Bruce Lee.

The 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron water and fuel systems Airmen keep Barksdale's service water flowing by completing tasks which require flexibility and thinking on the fly in what can be less desirable working conditions.

"Each situation poses unique issues," said Master Sgt. Robert Westfall, 2nd CES water and fuels systems section chief. "When you walk into a situation, it can look simple, but as you start taking things apart you never know what you're going to encounter. On-the-fly problem solving is an everyday occurrence." 

Proper planning is a big part of knocking out possible issues and sets up water and fuel systems Airmen for success when they have a more technical or complicated assignment.

"It takes some forethought and a little math work with certain jobs we do," said Westfall. "It's not quite as simple as just going in there and throwing a piece of pipe on the wall. You have to really think about it, what is going to fit and how it will fit."

Sometimes the most difficult part about being a water and fuel systems Airman isn't the complexity or stress of a job, but the environment you work in. Water and fuel systems Airmen have to work outside in the rain and cold if need be. On a daily basis they can soil their uniforms with water, rust, mud and sometimes even with human waste. Ironically, sometimes the physical and messy nature of the job is actually what they enjoy so much about their career field.

Airman 1st Class Chad Humann, 2nd CES water and fuel systems apprentice, says he loves his career field. What he really enjoys most about the career field is being able to be outside and work with his hands. Working in conditions that have made lesser men sick to their stomachs wont hinder Humann. He doesn't mind the challenge of adverse working conditions because he realizes the importance of his job and is proud of what he does every day.

"The job is important because Barksdale's water supply must be maintained," said Humann. "It's pretty simple. Clean water is key for survival, and people have to stay hydrated in order to do their job or ultimately planes don't get into the air, and we can't complete the mission. Also, if we didn't have ways to get rid of waste water, then we would have some large environmental hazards on base, and I don't think anyone wants that."

Water is a precious resource. Thankfully at 2nd CES, there are Airmen ready to improvise in stressful situations and go where some people wouldn't dream in order to do an essential job that helps keep Barksdale's mission flowing smoothly.