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Connecticut’s 103rd Airlift Wing Engineers Build Houses for Cherokee Veterans
Tahlequah, OK – Various squadrons of engineers from the 103rd Airlift Wing in Connecticut dedicated their time and skills from June 26 to July 7, to construct homes for disabled Cherokee veterans.
The construction is a part of the Cherokee Veterans Housing Initiative, a rotational project spanning multiple years. This initiative, which also provides essential training for Airmen, is expected to result in 21 new houses upon completion.
Air Force Master Sgt. Jon Delaney, the Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force manager for the 103rd Civil Engineer Squadron, highlights how beneficial this project has been for the Airmen. For many of them, especially those with non-engineering civilian careers or those unaccustomed to new construction, the project offers a valuable opportunity to apply their trade skills, including those not frequently used during their usual drill and annual training days.
Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Cooper, a full-time HVAC/R specialist with the ACS, said, “The 103rd Air Control Squadron is a tactical military unit, with all our equipment being rapidly deployable. This project falls outside the scope of what I usually do, which mostly revolves around maintaining the building’s HVAC systems, particularly for our mission-critical server rooms.”
Throughout the two-week construction period, the Airmen oversaw various aspects of the project, including framing walls, hanging sheetrock, running electrical lines, and managing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ductwork. The teams concurrently worked on multiple houses, erecting frameworks for some while installing wires, plumbing, and ductwork in others.
While the Airmen appreciated the hands-on training they received, the mission’s purpose resonated even more. Cooper pointed out the National Guard’s unique role in community service. Being part of such an initiative, honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans, was indeed rewarding.
The Cherokee Veterans Housing Initiative is a collaborative effort between the Defense Department’s Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program and the Cherokee Nation. This partnership aims to construct new single-family homes and establish supportive infrastructure for eligible Cherokee Nation veterans and their families.
The Innovative Readiness Training program bridges military contributions and community resources to multiply value and cost savings. While communities provide materials and essential services, military units contribute personnel and training resources, resulting in mission-ready forces, strengthened civil-military partnerships, and fortified communities.
Source: US National Guard
