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87th CES Airmen are ‘jacks of all trades’

Michael Mattay, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron Heavy Equipment Shop operator, uses a pneumatic impact gun to tighten a carriage bolt on the inner plastic panel of a 20-ton snowplow March 12. Senior Airman Phil McCain helps align the bolt from below. On occasion, the plows require a pit stop in order to perform routine maintenance or to change the plow blade to either rubber or steel. During heavy snow removal, steel plow blades can last up to six hours while rubber blades can last 24 hours. (U.S. Air Force photo/Carlos Cintron)

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87th CES Airmen are ‘jacks of all trades’

Michael Mattay, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron Heavy Equipment Shop operator, works hard to keep the flightline runways, taxiways, parking ramps, streets, and parking lots clear of snow and ice March 12. Due to the diligent efforts of the 87th CES Heavy Equipment Shop, the flightline has only been closed down once in the past 25 years due to snow or ice. (U.S. Air Force photo/Carlos Cintron)

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87th CES Airmen are ‘jacks of all trades’

Michael Mattay, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron Heavy Equipment Shop operator, adjusts the chain on a hydraulic ram on the front end of a massive 20-ton snowplow March 12. The hydraulic ram raises, lowers, and turns the giant plow head, which can weigh up to 12,000 pounds. The Heavy Equipment Shop recently help save $800,000 by installing a swing gate, which stops deer and other animals from going through a creek onto the base – this reduced the need for extra security to the outer perimeter fence. (U.S. Air Force photo/Carlos Cintron)

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87th CES Airmen are ‘jacks of all trades’

Senior Airman Phil McCain, 87th Civil Engineer Heavy Equipment Shop operator, operates a backhoe during a utility dig March 12. The backhoe is utilized by the 87th CES for various projects around the base, including water main brakes, utility line maintenance, high temperature water brakes, plowing snow, moving dirt and loading trucks with fill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Carlos Cintron)

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87th CES Airmen are ‘jacks of all trades’

During a utility dig March 12, Senior Airman Phil McCain, 87th Civil Engineer Heavy Equipment Shop operator, revs up the RPM on a backhoe. Personnel from the 87th CES work on a variety of projects around McGuire, such as repairing all pot holes, maintenance and repair of perimeter fences, placing barricades during exercises, clearing all storm drains, cutting and clearing downed trees and branches after storms, and street sweeping. These “jacks-of-all-trades” Airmen are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (U.S. Air Force photo/Carlos Cintron)

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87th CES Airmen are ‘jacks of all trades’

Airman Cory Johnson, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron Heavy Equipment Shop operator, uses a hand tamper to compact the soil after a utility dig March 12. The hand tamper is also used to prepare surfaces before laying down asphalt, concrete, or sod and helps speed up the settling process. (U.S. Air Force photo/Carlos Cintron)

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87th CES Airmen are ‘jacks of all trades’

Published March 17, 2009