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Guam Guard airmen, Tinian Mayor’s Office partner to repair health clinic
Civil-military partnership program comes to Tinian
The Tinian Mayor’s Office is partnering with the Innovative Readiness Training program to renovate and improve its health clinic, the only medical facility on the island that caters to its residents.
More than 20 airmen from the Guam Air National Guard’s 254th Red Horse Squadron arrived on Tinian last week to begin the project, which will result in more than 100 hours of hands-on engineering, demolition, construction, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning training for the airmen.
The mission is expected to be completed in about three to four weeks.
The Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operation Repair Squadron, Engineer, or RED HORSE, is the U.S. Air Force’s heavy-construction unit. Their capabilities are similar to those of the U.S. Navy Seabees and U.S. Army engineering units.
“The IRT program is a unique way for the airmen to train in our military occupations,” said Capt. Jason Cruz, 254RHS Project officer-in-charge. “This partnership between the welcoming community and the military has been a win-win for us all. The military is able to fulfill the need of a deserving mission, all the while receiving critical training for our readiness.”
Immediately upon arrival on the island, Vicente King, Public Health program coordinator, and Rodney S. Cabarles, acting resident director, provided a site tour and explained the various projects that were approved to be performed at the Tinian Health Center.
“I am very excited about this joint venture and the cooperation between our organizations,” said Tinian Mayor Joey P. San Nicolas. “I am hoping that this is just the beginning and there will be more to come for the people of Tinian. It shows that there is a strong partnership with the military and the local government. We are very supportive of this IRT program and happy that the Guam National Guard is here to assist us with these infrastructure improvements and look forward to more in the future.”
IRT is a U.S. Department of Defense training opportunity, exclusive to the United States and its territories, that delivers a platform for military service members to conduct real-world, hands-on training while providing key services with lasting benefits to American communities. Visit IRT.defense.gov to learn more about IRT, or to apply for a mission. (PR)
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- Airmen from the Guam Air National Guard’s 254th Red Horse Squadron, pose for a photo with Tinian Mayor Joey San Nicolas after discussing the upcoming project, which is part of an Innovative Readiness Training Program. (Photos by MASTER. SGT. JEAN CHABANNE)
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- Airmen from the Guam Air National Guard’s 254th Red Horse Squadron pose for a photo with Tinian Mayor Joey San Nicolas and staff of the Tinian Health Clinic prior to beginning renovations as part of an Innovative Readiness Training Program.
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- The U.S. Air Force pilots and crew pose with airmen from the Guam Air National Guard’s 254th Red Horse Squadron, and Tinian Airport staff, after arriving on Tinian last week to begin repairs at the Tinian Health Clinic.
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- Rodney Cabarles, acting resident director, Tinian Health Clinic, right; and Vicente King, Public Health program coordinator, second from right, show Maj. Josephine Blas, public affairs officer, Guam National Guard, third from right, and Master Sgt. Matthew Cepeda, at left, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the Guam Air National Guard’s 254th Red Horse Squadron, where a sink will be added in the emergency room of the Tinian Health Clinic.
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- Rodney Cabarles, acting resident director, Tinian Health Clinic, left; Ignacio Kiyoshi, military liaison, Tinian Mayor’s Office, second from left; and Vicente King, Public Health program coordinator, second from right, discuss the expansion of the current helicopter pad outside the clinic with Master Sgt. Matthew Cepeda, at center, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the Guam Air National Guard’s 254th Red Horse Squadron, which will be performing the renovations, and Maj. Josephine Blas, public affairs officer, Guam National Guard, at right.
