ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 97th Air Mobility Wing command team kicked off their first hands-on tour with Altus Air Force Base’s very own 97th Civil Engineer Squadron on Nov. 4, 2025, to see how engineers keep the base secure, efficient and ready.
“Operating the installation is at the core of what Civil Engineers do across the Air Force. Ensuring every member of Team Altus has the facilities to effectively and efficiently tackle their day-to-day tasks is our primary job,” said Lt. Col. Patrick Sheehan, 97th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. “We receive and execute $8.5M in funding annually for projects identified by command teams, and prioritized by the Wing Commander, to enhance mission and quality-of-life across the base.”
The visit began at a man-made detention pond under construction to mitigate seasonal flooding. The command team spent time operating a bulldozer and an excavator, getting first-hand insight into the precision, safety practices and tempo the engineers apply to drainage control and resiliency projects that protect mission-critical facilities.
Next, they toured the on-base fire station to observe call-center dispatch procedures and daily living spaces that support quick response times. The day culminated at the aircraft live-fire training area where the team donned about 40 pounds of gear, advancing a charged hose to knock down flames on a simulated aircraft fire and finished the day by operating a firetruck to deliver water and foam.
“What our Airmen from the 97th CES do every day makes everything else possible,” said Col. Richard Kind, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander. “They’re directly enabling aircrew training and mobility readiness. Their work turns this base into a secure, efficient and resilient power-projection platform.”