60th CES crafts permanent structure for Combat Arms

  • Published
  • By Nick DeCicco
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  After years of temporary facilities, the Combat Arms training range unveiled Thursday a new restroom structure constructed in conjunction with the 60th Civil Engineer Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, California.

The $70,078, 560-square-foot facility took more than 120 days to complete.
The much-needed facility improves a range which serves more than 10,000 students each year, according to Staff Sgt. Anthony Pinaula, Combat Arms NCO in charge.

"It impacts the mission because it provides a clean and maintainable facility (for our shooters)," he said. "Now we have an adequate facility to support our large weapons training program."

The structure provides a permanent replacement for a pair of portable toilets. The portable facilities were a headache for the Combat Arms program as one did not have a roof and both were susceptible to the whims of Mother Nature, Pinaula said.

"Whenever it got windy out at the range, they were the first thing to go," he said. "They would tip over."

The project was distinct for members of the 60th CES, which is required by Air Force Instructions to complete two such Contingency Construction Training Projects per year.

The home station training includes routine operations, planning, design and other construction practices. Six 60th CES specialties contributed to the construction, with each of the squadron's crafts utilized in the facility.

More than 4,600 combined hours of labor between military members and civilian employees went into the construction, according to Master Sgt. Steven Sloan, 60th Civil Engineer Squadron structures office.

The squadron members excavated 28 cubic yards of earth and poured just as many cubic yards of concrete for the foundation. More than 400 linear feet of electrical conduit and wire were used as well as 330 linear feet of sanitary sewer system piping.

The crew hand dug a 75-foot, 24-inch deep electrical trench to comply with California environmental standards to protect multiple endangered species at Travis, including the California tiger salamander, fairy shrimp and burrowing owls.

"This gives the base a brand new facility for years to come," Sloan said.
For Staff Sgt. Donald Scott, 60th CES structures office, it was his first time as an Airman building a structure from the ground up.

"Accomplishing a building sharpened my leadership skills and set me up for future tasks," Scott said. "It was a learning experience."

The facility also provides a source of potable water, which the range also lacked. The existing water fountain on range was deemed unsafe for use because of airborne heavy metals on range, Pinaula said.

Jim Wilson, Ed Cebula, Chris Parker, Derek Dydasco, William Robison and Michelle Cardenas provided time, knowledge and leadership, Sloan said.

Sloan said 60th CES is on the lookout for similar projects which utilize each of the squadron's different crafts. The squadron looks for projects which effect as many people as possible. Those interested should submit a 332 work request form.

"CE is focused on the morale and welfare of the community," Sloan said. "By providing a latrine to 6,000 personnel, hopefully that will lead to a new appreciation for what CE can provide to the family at Travis"