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Happy homecoming: Hill reservists return from Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By Public Affairs staff
  • 419th Fighter Wing
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  About 30 Air Force Reservists from the 419th Civil Engineer Squadron returned today from a six-month deployment to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

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While deployed, the Airmen traveled throughout northeastern Afghanistan, completing construction projects at 62 forward operating bases and combat outposts as part of the 577th Expeditionary Prime BEEF (Base Engineer Emergency Force) Squadron.

The 577th was one of three Prime BEEF squadrons in Afghanistan, and the only one led and primarily manned by Air Force Reserve civil engineers.

The reservists' work as part of Operation Enduring Freedom included conducting critical repairs to existing structures, ensuring Army, Coalition and Afghan soldiers had proper facilities.

Lt. Col. David Konshok, 419th CES commander, deployed alongside his Airmen and said he's proud of the work they accomplished overseas. The Army has already awarded many 419th members with commendation and achievement medals.

"I would stack them up against any service, any engineers, any soldiers, any construction company out there," Colonel Konshok said. "They did amazing things, jumped right into it and traveled throughout the battle space on a very hectic pace, really, and did a fantastic job."

The colonel said the deployment was "gratifying" and he's happy his troops returned home safely.

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