TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (USTCNS) --- A team of 29 60th Civil Engineer Squadron airmen, two 60th Services Squadron airmen, and one airman from the 60th Transportation Squadron deployed for 11 days to Camp Wolfeboro, an austere camp high in the mountains near Yosemite National Park.

The mission ... to rehabilitate the camp. Among the tall trees along the Stanislaus River, Camp Wolfeboro is a Boy Scouts of America camp surrounded by scenery even Ansel Adams would envy. The camp has been open for eight weeks during the summer for more than 75 years, supporting as many as 3,200 scouts and 40 staff members each year.

During the 11-day deployment, the team completed more than
$250,000 in projects and expended more than 3500 man-hours. The deployment provided valuable training that is scarce or not available at Travis.

The small team size made teamwork imperative to accomplish the mission. Civil engineer, services and transportation troops worked side-by-side in order to complete the projects.

"This deployment was an excellent opportunity for Travis Team members to give back to their community, while sharpening their contingency skills," said Capt. David Gwisdalla the team officer in charge.

"Training in the field is always more meaningful," said team member Staff Sgt. Brian Yamamoto. "Working at Camp Wolfeboro gave us the opportunity to improve our wartime skills while working with (civil engineer) crafts and other career fields we typically don't see at Travis."

Projects crossed the entire spectrum of civil engineer crafts. Electricians, plumbers, carpenters and equipment operators were all utilized. Projects included two latrine and shower facilities renovated, one latrine constructed, 26 tent platforms built, one bridge repaired and two entire septic systems with leach fields installed.

The team constructed a state-of-the-art waste water treatment system with two septic tanks, a pump tank and over 700 feet of leach line.

Installing the septic system is a prime example of training not available at Travis. Travis does not utilize septic systems, but they may be constructed or maintained in a contingency situation.

Welding is another skill needed at Camp Wolfboro but in scarce demand at Travis. One dilapidated latrine at the camp was torn down to its concrete slab and reconstructed using a welded metal frame.

Civil engineer structural craftsmen were able to practice and refine their welding techniques.

"The craftsmen had to think ahead and plan effectively. They knew that materials and equipment were up to 24 hours away and could cause long delays," said Senior Master Sgt. Don Nelson the team non-commissioned officer in charge. "The troops did an outstanding job planning their equipment and material needs."

The hardest and most important lesson learned was improvisation.

Like a contingency, the correct tool or material for the job was not always available. Unlike at Travis, where a craftsman could simply return to the shop to retrieve a forgotten tool, the remote location of Camp Wolfeboro meant a 24-hour or more turn-around time on tools and materials needed from the hardware store.

"The team accomplished a lot of projects in the 11 days, training new troops on core competencies as well as multi-skilling on different projects," Gwisdalla said. (FROM TAILWIND - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE).