F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- The Civil Engineering Squadron pavement and equipment shop is readying their equipment as old man winter approaches. The “Dirt Boyz” section in the 90th Civil Engineering Squadron equips their vehicles with plows and snow melting chemicals along with performing safety and operational checks.
The section has 25 pieces of equipment assigned with 35 operators, they are on call 24 hours a day. Each person works one of the three eight-hour shifts dedicated to keeping Warren roads safe.
Senior Airman Christopher Moss, 90th Civil Engineering Squadron pavement, equipment and construction journeyman is a “Dirt Boy”. He has served in the Air Force for three years. He keeps the roads plowed in the winter and the pot holes filled in the summer.
“During a typical winter storm I will dedicate seven and a half hours to plowing,” said Moss. “I am given a thirty minute break to eat lunch and relax, then it is back to plowing and keeping drivers safe on the roadways and during severe winter storms it may take several shifts to ensure the roads are safe.”
The mission of the Dirt Boyz is multi-faceted. It encompasses base and missile field operational safety.
“A priority system dictates plowing of roads based on mission and some buildings on base are higher priority than others,” said Brian Nichols, 90th Civil Engineering Squadron pavement, equipment and construction, engineering equipment operator. “We ensure base and missile field roads are accessible to provide safe vehicle passage for F.E. Warren personnel.”
Dirt Boyz are prepared to engage whatever mother nature has to offer, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The job of keeping Warren’s roadways safe is not an easy tasking, remember to stay at least 100 feet back from a plow vehicle to ensure your safety and avoid damage to your vehicle.
Helpful safety advice when following plows:
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Stay at least 100 feet back from plow
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Don’t park on curb in housing areas
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Don’t pass the plow when following
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Travel at low speeds