Yokota civil engineers harden structures, support continued BM 24-1 operations

Airmen assigned to the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron and the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron load supplemental structural defense equipment onto an 18-wheeler at Yokota Air Base, Japan, in support of exercise Beverly Morning 24-1, Oct. 18, 2023. Reinforcing facilities supports Yokota Air Base's ability to respond to any threats and helps ensure continued operational readiness. (U.S. Air Force Public Affairs photo by Senior Airman Hannah Bean)

An Airman assigned to the 374th Civil Engineering Squadron drives a forklift past an 18-wheeler loaded with supplemental structural defense equipment at Yokota Air Base, Japan, in support of exercise Beverly Morning 24-1, Oct. 18, 2023. Reinforcing facilities supports Yokota Air Base's ability to respond to any threats and helps ensure continued operational readiness. (U.S. Air Force Public Affairs photo by Senior Airman Hannah Bean)

Yokota civil engineers harden structures, support continued BM 24-1 operations

Published Oct. 19, 2023
By Tech. Sgt. Taylor Altier
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --

An Airman drives a forklift carrying supplemental structure defense equipment. — An Airman assigned to the 374th Civil Engineering Squadron drives a forklift carrying supplemental structural defense equipment at Yokota Air Base, Japan, in support of exercise Beverly Morning 24-1, Oct. 18, 2023. U.S. military bases implement robust hardening plans as a technique to stop any potential threat before it starts. (U.S. Air Force Public Affairs photo by Senior Airman Hannah Bean)

Engineers assigned to the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron reinforced facilities and structures to help ensure continued operations at Yokota Air Base, Japan as part of exercise Beverly Morning 24-1.

In a real-world scenario, reinforcing facilities support Yokota’s ability to respond to any threat and helps ensure continued operational readiness.

Engineers from the 374th CES worked alongside a dedicated team of wing augmentees from across the base to construct the reinforcements.

"The goals of hardening are to deter, deflect, divert, and deny,” said Lt. Col. Michael Pluger, 374th CES commander. “Strengthening facilities ensures our Airmen are poised to provide tactical airlift capabilities to Yokota and allied nations in the region.”

Airmen load structure defense equipment. — Airmen assigned to the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron and the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron marshal a forklift to load supplemental structural defense equipment onto an 18-wheeler at Yokota Air Base, Japan, in support of exercise Beverly Morning 24-1, Oct. 18, 2023. These reinforcements are constructed by 374th CES engineers as well as a dedicated team of augmentees sourced from across the 374th Airlift Wing. (U.S. Air Force Public Affairs photo by Senior Airman Hannah Bean)

Pluger said facility hardening is one of many measures the base can employ to safeguard the wing’s diverse mission.

“Security of our assets and the safety of our personnel is paramount,” said Pluger. “Structure hardening adds yet another layer of defense to our operations and our engineers and augmentees were more than ready to execute so we can continue our mission as the primary airlift hub of the Indo-Pacific.”