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507th Civil Engineer Squadron supports Boy Scouts, Oklahoma residents

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Rich Curry
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma --  Ten Boy Scouts from the Mustang and Yukon, Oklahoma area are now a bit more helpful after receiving hands-on plumbing skills training from a 507th Air Refueling Wing reservist.

The five-hour training session was held by Senior Master Sgt. David Liszeski, 507th Mission Support Group Wing Career Advisor.

Sergeant Liszeski who is also the assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 300 and owner-operator of Liszeski Plumbing, coordinated the event. "My goal was that all boys followed the safety requirements as outlined in the Boy Scouts of America Plumbing Merit Badge Pamphlet and have fun while doing it," he said.

During the training, the youth learned how to safely solder copper pipe, cut and thread black iron pipe, do simple faucet repairs, draw a house schematic for water, drain and vents, clean out a sink drain, learned how to identify and properly use common plumbing tools, and how to follow heath and safety guidelines when working on plumbing systems.

"Even some of the parents learned a thing or two during the course," Liszeski smiled. The sergeant described the event as simply an opportunity to give back to the community...something he is very familiar with.

In his previous career field with he 507th Civil Engineer Squadron, Liszeski coordinated volunteer teams of civil engineer specialists to support area Rebuilding Together during off-duty drill weekend time. That effort continued for several years supporting cash-strapped elderly residents with structural, electrical and home plumbing repairs. "Rebuilding Together picked up the cost of the materials used and our civil engineers got additional on the job skills training," the sergeant said. During the previous four years more than a dozen area elderly residents benefited from that initiative.

Currently, Liszeski is organizing yet another wing-wide initiative via the wing's Human Resources Development Council. Dubbed the first annual Tinker Reserve Operation Community Outreach, the initiative seeks to solicit dozens of volunteers.

"We plan to team up again with Rebuilding Together this coming May 1. We are asking all our reservists, not just civil engineers, to come out to help us support several area residents," he said. "If they can swing a hammer or simply carry materials and help clean up the job site, their presence will be appreciated," Liszeski said.