GALLUP, N.M. — Building and donating homes to Native American veterans is what the South Carolina Air National Guard, U.S. Navy and Southwest Indian Foundation are all about this summer.

The 169th Civil Engineer Squadron are working with SWIF and the U.S. Navy’s Mobile Construction Battalion 22 for two weeks to help get conventionally framed homes built for the Native American veterans in the surrounding area. The unit has been in town since July 8 and will be here until July 21.

There are about 40 airmen deployed working on what they call their Innovative Readiness Training. They will be doing all phases of the home construction from framing, siding, roofing, drywall, electrical and plumbing.

The men and women working on the project have specialties in electrical systems, utility systems, heavy equipment operation and structural and pavement activities according to the military.

Not only do they help build the homes, but they also help deliver the homes and put them in place. This is the first year that there has been an all Air Force rotation. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this innovative readiness training.

3 HOUSES AT ONCE

The project is taking place out at the SWIF warehouse. Walking into the warehouse there are three homes being worked on that are at different stages of production.

“There are always three houses being worked on at all times,” said Senior Airman Gina Floyd.

This way production of the homes goes faster and they are constantly delivering homes. John Lastyona who is the manager of the warehouse said that having the military come in definitely helps with the production.

For many in the squadron this is their first time building homes or working on this project.

“This is my first time building homes and everything has been a new learning experience and been hard work,” said Technical Sgt. Donta Vious Cooper, who has been in the military for 12 years.

For other airmen they have helped with this project for the past few years. Petty Officer First Class Alfredo “Bob” Estella said this is his third year helping on the project. He is one of the project managers and has been helping on the project since May 1. He will continue staying in town until the project is done in September. Estella said he has been enjoying his time here in Gallup.

“It’s been awesome. We go on hikes all the time and did Pyramid Rock yesterday,” said Estella.

GIVING BACK AND SEEING AN IMPACT

For many of the airmen and women, this is more than just building houses for them, it is about giving back and seeing a real impact of their work. Estrella said, “this is paying back to the community of Gallup who are big supporters of the military and has a large veteran community.”

Master Sgt. Carl Clegg said this is his first time working with this project.

“Projects like these help us to feel like we are really giving back,” said Clegg. “Sometimes training doesn’t feel like there is any importance. Here, you get to see the immediate impact of our training. It really hits us as well knowing the homes are going to veterans in need.”

Technical Sgt. Millard “Chuck” Morgan who has been in the military for 15 years and has worked on similar projects for seven years said that he was not envisioning much when he heard they were coming to Gallup. In his time here, he says it has been a pretty awesome experience.

“The best part so far was getting to meet Hershey (Hiroshi Myamura) who is a medal of honor recipient,” said Morgan. “A handful of us got to go back to his home and talk with him and he gave us his coin which is very special.”

Morgan said working on projects like this is great because they get to use skills they are trained for in different ways.

Master Sgt. Elizabeth Sailer is a training manager on the project and gets to help everyone with their jobs. For her, this is her second year here.

“It feels amazing being here again and helping out,” said Sailer.

Her father was a contractor and when she was growing up, she lived in New Mexico for a while. She said it is great to be back in the area. Like many others on the project, she hopes the next rotation comes in and keeps the momentum moving forward.

Information from: Gallup Independent, http://www.gallupindependent.com