A recent news article by DVIDS reports on other such civil engineers that have turned their skills to vital community work - the 184th Civil Engineering Squadron of the United States Air Force. These airmen have turned their valuable skills on local communities in the Southwest, taking on humanitarian work and improving local lives while gaining the necessary training that they require for their service.

According to the news article, the 184th CES was deployed between June 15 and June 29 to Window Rock, AZ and Gallup, NM to take part in an annual training program that lasted for two weeks. However, unlike their usual training, this particular two week session had a twist - the squadron would actually be performing important humanitarian work for the local Native American communities, giving them a chance to do some real good while learning the skills vital to their jobs.

As the article explains, the 184th CES then teamed up with the Southwest Indian Foundation to work three separate sites as three separate teams. Here they helped to implement new water and sewer systems, remodel older buildings, and construct brand new homes. Each step of their training had a direct impact on the lives of the local Native American communities, improving the living conditions of many local citizens.

"It was an excellent idea and one that benefitted everybody involved," remarks civil engineer Matthew Roblez on the matter. "Civil engineering is all about helping a community by improving its structure and living conditions. With this approach, military engineers get that sense of civil accomplishment while training their necessary skill sets, while the locals get the benefit of excellent manpower for their important engineering projects. It's a win-win situation."

This partnership between the military and the Southwest Indian Foundation is a vital one, says the article, especially for the latter group. As the article explains, the Southwest Indian Foundation is a small organization, but one with big goals. They have been providing humanitarian work like this to their local communities for the past 15 years, during which time they have built approximately 220 new homes.

In addition to building these new homes, the 184th CES also spent a large portion of their time improving and remodeling the existing buildings of the St. Michael's Association for Special Education. This included installing a new HVAC system, replacing plumbing systems and windows, and installing new electrical wiring.

It is cases like this, says Matt Roblez, where the power of civil engineering can really shine through and change lives for the better.

ABOUT:

Matthew Roblez is a structural engineer and an owner and principal of McNeil Engineering, a structural engineering and design services provider based out of Sandy, UT. Roblez has a Bachelor's of Science degree in Civil Engineering and is board licensed and certified. He is also a published author of several technical publications, a frequent lecturer, and "The MK Bandit" - a professional wrestling personality, announcer, and backstage performer. On top of all of this, Roblez has also played in, supported, and coached a variety of sports programs.