The 51st Civil Engineer Squadron is one of five squadrons assigned to the 51st Mission Support Group, 51st Fighter Wing Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.
The 51st Civil Engineer Squadron “Haetaes,” is a forward-deployed engineer squadron that supports personnel from the 7th Air Force, 51st Fighter Wing, 24 associate units and 7,000 residents. The Haetaes sustain more than 1,000 facilities, approximately 4,500 dormitory rooms, 1.5 million square yards of airfield, 288 miles of power lines, 120 miles of water and sewer distribution and 75 miles of roads. The squadron consists of the following six flights that are responsible for the planning, acquisition, operation, protection, recovery, and divestiture of Osan AB's infrastructure.
Engineering Flight
The Engineering Flight is assigned to four interrelated sections that deliver engineer capabilities to Team Osan and U.S. Forces-Korea. The flight sustains Pacific Air Force's largest flying-hour program by project planning, programming, design, construction, energy and contract management. The flight's primary armistice mission provides long-term installation planning and execution support to maintain infrastructure across the entire installation. During wartime, the flight’s mission transitions to attack preparation and recovery of the base infrastructure.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight conducts and supports 10 mission areas. It is the most forward deployed U.S. Air Force EOD flight in the Pacific Air Forces. The flight’s wartime mission is to clear and defend the airfield from explosive hazards. During armistice, the flight’s mission is to provide force protection, respond to explosive emergencies, train in 10-distinct mission sets and build interoperability with host-nation counterparts.
Fire Emergency Services Flight
The Fire Emergency Services Flight is charged with protecting life and property within the boundaries of the installation 24/7. The Fire Department operates a single-engine company and three aircraft rescue, firefighting vehicles for primary response. Furthermore, Fire Emergency Services has an additional engine company, ladder truck, rescue vehicle, hazardous material unit, water tender and two rapid intervention vehicles available for response.
Installation Management Flight
Installation Management Flight consists of three sections. Housing management promotes mission readiness by assisting all eligible members in all matters involving on- and off-base housing. Asset accountability provides direct mission support to both host and tenant organizations and missions. Environmental ensures base compliance with U.S. and Korean environmental governing standards, ensures all construction is in compliance with environmental law and regulations, manages the base recycling program and operates the installation’s hazardous waste program.
Operations Flight
The Operations Flight maintains and repairs $3.4 billion of infrastructure and upholds quality-of-life standards for 11,000 combined forces. This team ensures the safety and protection of base personnel through the sustainment of fire alarm and suppression systems, electronic security systems, anti-vehicle barriers, 78 miles of perimeter fence and eight aircraft arresting systems, which safeguards more than $1 billion in fighter aircraft. They conduct more than 500,000 maintenance hours every year to ensure Osan is able to successfully meet mission requirements.
Emergency Management Flight
The Emergency Management Flight is the installation leader on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Passive Defense against three nations of the highest security concerns to the U.S. During wartime, the flight provides CBRN Command and Control, CBRN Reconnaissance/Surveillance, Contamination Mitigation, and Sample Collection/Transport capabilities. During Armistice, the flight’s mission is to save lives, minimize loss or degradation or resources, and sustain/restore mission generation through major combat operations, major accident and natural disaster response and recovery. This is accomplished by planning, training, and equipping forces, including the Air Force’s largest shelter management program.