The 200th RED HORSE Squadron at Mansfield Lahm Airport hosted approximately 160 Pioneer Career and Technology students on Friday, where students had the opportunity to tour the military facility and explore all of its equipment.
Lt. Col. Joe Logan said he first approached instructors at Pioneer two months ago, offering a tour of the RED HORSE facilities and an explanation of the opportunities offered to their students.
“We need more mechanically inclined recruits, so I offered up the opportunity to come see what we’re about to get more exposure to kids and see what we have to offer like scholarship opportunities and training opportunities,” said Logan.
RED HORSE, which stands for Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer, directly supports combat air power by providing a dedicated, flexible airfield anywhere in the world and any heavy construction and repair capability. Pioneer students toured through three different shops on Friday, the vehicle maintenance shop, airfield operation shop, and emergency management functions.
“In one area they’ll be up in the equipment operating the equipment, another area will be the vehicle maintenance area to see our training aids and what our tools are, and another area they’ll get to put on chemical suits and see some of our weapons we maintain as well as have an opportunity to crawl through some of the other bigger pieces of equipment and ask questions,” said Logan.
Pioneer instructors Dave Such from automotive technology and Rick Harvey from power equipment said they were both impressed with the facility at RED HORSE, and noted the kids were very excited to be there.
“We’re all into transportation, whether it’s smaller stuff, bigger stuff or automotive,” said Such. “We’re all mechanical, we’re all wrenches, and we all like to get into that type of work so this goes right down our alley. It impresses us to see this equipment and working on them. I wish I were 18 years old again.”
Logan said the 200-member RED HORSE Squadron is especially looking for mechanically inclined recruits due to a natural cycle of airmen leaving the unit after six years. He emphasized the benefits recruits receive should they join RED HORSE, such as 100 percent tuition payments if interested in furthering their education or providing training for a trade.
“Through a natural cycle right now, everybody came in and got their education, some love it and will stay forever and some got out of it what they came in for with the education and to serve the country and now it’s time for them to move on,” said Logan.
Tech. Sgt. Robert Comer said he hoped Pioneer’s students took away a bit of education about the military, the jobs available and how it can benefit them if they’re interested.
“The military has a lot to offer, and there’s a place for everyone,” he said. “It’s not just everything you see on TV, there are very good opportunities.”
Besides the experience of driving large vehicles, trying on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) equipment, or riding in a humvee, Such and Harvey said they hope their students take away larger lessons like drive, or a vision of their future.
“I like to see the kids out here seeing what leadership is and what order is, to see a shop that’s working on small stuff and big stuff and the teamwork this place has,” said Harvey. “That’s what we’re trying to put into the kids’ heads and they get to see it firsthand here.”
“A lot of these guys need some discipline and some direction, and this could definitely give them what they need,” added Such. “Some of them think they have a direction but they’re not sure yet, this could really give them a career for the rest of their work life.”
