Hawaii Reserve Citizen Airmen help keep power on at Bellows
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii — Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 624th Civil Engineer Squadron here provided hands-on support to help keep electricity flowing at Bellows Air Force Station during a unit training assembly Jan. 25.
Airmen specializing in electrical power production accomplish needed equipment maintenance for a backup generation unit while performing upgrade training for mission readiness.
“This type of work is a win-win for everyone involved,” said Senior Master Sgt. Cris Ildefonso, 624th CES Operations Management superintendent. “Our Airmen get to work on equipment they’ll see while deployed, and our partners at Kadena receive support for their facilities here at Bellows.
The team provided a required annual service on a backup power generation unit. The tasks included changing oil and filters, filling fluids, testing batteries, and other general maintenance. They also checked the generator’s output and engine performance to ensure it was operating within specifications.
Bellows AFS, which is on the east side of Oahu, is a detachment of the 18th Force Support Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. Because Bellows is a detachment, either the work has to be contracted out or Airmen from other locations are needed to facilitate the maintenance. Having the 624th CES provide this type of service saves the Air Force time and money. It also provides reservist practical experience.
“We have an outstanding team here,” said Master Sgt. Darren Clemen, 624th CES Electrical Power Production Shop noncommissioned officer in charge. “This effort assists everyone at Bellows. They don’t have an electrical power production shop on station, so this gives us a chance to help out.”
The 624th CES, which is part of the 624th Regional Support Group here, is comprised of multiple Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force and firefighting teams ready to support worldwide deployments. They construct and maintain airfield and facilities, provide firefighting support, and coordinate planning for real world disasters.
