Winter is coming: Spangdahlem prides in snow, ice removal

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alison Stewart
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

With winter swiftly approaching, Airmen with the 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron make sure snow and ice removal equipment are prepared for the cold weather ahead. On Nov. 8, 2019, the 52nd CES held a “Snow and Ice Parade” here to demonstrate Spangdahlem’s snow and ice removal capabilities.

The annual “parade” was held for leadership to see the capabilities of the 52nd CES snow and ice removal equipment. The parade also allows leadership a chance to see the hard work Airmen put forward to ensuring the base is safe during winter conditions.

“We like to showcase the capabilities of the agencies that will be outside directly supporting the base’s snow and ice removal or aircraft deicing during the upcoming snow season,” said Master Sgt. Derrik Ross, 52nd CES NCO in charge of airfield and grounds maintenance. “It gives leadership a chance to actually get into the equipment to drive, operate, and to get an understanding of the size of the equipment and the scope of responsibilities that many of these Airmen will be undertaking.”

Ross said a large part of this event is ensuring everyone is on track for upcoming snow and ice, and to confirm everything is still operational.

Lt. Col. Matthew Hoyt, 52nd Operations Support Squadron commander, oversaw an execution of these capabilities earlier in the week via an exercise.

“The exercise took us through every step from an anticipated snow event forecast, establishing priorities between real world Air Mobility Command missions, and the OSS and Maintenance Squadron coordination,” said Hoyt.  “This activated the power house CE snow team people and equipment, and they got out on the airfield and did the job.”

The exercise, a major team effort between the OSS and CES, was a success.

“The trucks and people did exactly what they would do if snow and ice were present, and it was great,” said Hoyt.

Thanks to Spangdahlem’s CES and OSS diligent snow and ice removal efforts, Sabers can rest easy knowing they are safe this winter.