MTANG trains in Slovenia

Published July 17, 2017
By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Soulsby
219th RED HORSE Squadron

GREAT FALLS, Mont. -- More than 35 members of the 219th RED HORSE Squadron and the 120th Airlift Wing of the Montana Air National Guard participated in Exercise Related Construction in June while deployed for training in Postonja, Slovenia.

Members of the 219th RED HORSE Squadron verify joists are level on a catwalk in the attic of a barracks June, 14, 2017, Pocek base, near Postonja, Slovenia. The catwalk was built as a way to easily maneuver the attic for future maintenance. (U.S. Air National Guard photo/Staff Sgt. Lindsey Soulsby)

The acronym RED HORSE spells out the specialized construction work performed by the MTANG unit: Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer.

The Montana Airmen worked multiple projects simultaneously, insulating and building a catwalk in an attic of a barracks and replacing the plumbing to meet the current safety code. They also insulated a water tank by building a protective wall and placed shelves in a range control barn site.

“Safety, mission training and cultural experience were the words that echoed in my head throughout this training event,” said 219th RHS Deployment Commander Maj. Mark Dehn.

Slovenia’s state partner, the Colorado Air National Guard, completed upgrades to half of the barn in 2015. The CoANG Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Michael A. Loh, visited the site to see the previous work of his COANG Airmen and the current progress of the MTANG.

Senior Airman Garth Mitchell, 219th RED HORSE Squadron structures journeyman, carries a roll of insulation to the attic of a barracks June, 9, 2017, at Pocek base, near Postonja, Slovenia. RED HORSE was tasked to insulate, create a catwalk and add lighting to a barracks attic as a part of Exercise Related Construction. (U.S. Air National Guard photo/Staff Sgt. Lindsey Soulsby)

“From interacting with the Colorado Air National Guard to fostering relationships with the local vendors, this is an interface that will persist beyond our time here,” Dehn said.

A total of $40,029.58 was spent locally using 2520 man hours to upgrade the Bile barn and Postonja barracks.

“I am extremely proud of the work that these Airmen have accomplished,” Dehn said. “Their craftsmanship, attention to detail and constant accountability for safety is second to none. By completing these projects our Airmen further enhance the abilities of NATO forces participating in Exercise Immediate Response to communicate with forces on the exercise range.”

The barracks and barn are used in Exercise Immediate Response by American forces several times a year.

219th RED HORSE Squadron personnel and Slovenian Armed Forces members meet to discuss progress and needs at the Bile barn site Pocek base, near Postonja, Slovenia June 9, 2017. The 219th RHS replaced plumbing, updated electrical wiring, built walls to insulate a water tank and added shelving for the barn which will be used as range control for Exercise Immediate Response. (U.S. Air National Guard photo/Staff Sgt. Lindsey Soulsby)