RED HORSE returns Published Oct. 30, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Oleksandra G. Manko Nellis AFB Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The first group consisting of 130 servicemembers from the 820th and the 555th RED HORSE Squadrons returned to Nellis Oct. 22 after a seven-month-long deployment. Returnees arrived shortly after midnight, but, due to the Red Flag exercise currently underway at Nellis, the welcoming didn't take place on the flight line, as usual. Instead, the Airmen were transported in buses that took them to the RED HORSE compound, where their family and friends awaited them with balloons and "welcome home" signs. During their deployment, RED HORSE Airmen performed many vital tasks. They built work spaces (K-span and traditional wood frame), aircraft hangars and ammunition storage areas; paved roads, taxiways and aircraft parking pads; demolished damaged bridges to allow future construction; and conducted armored convoys to deliver construction material and equipment. The squadron divisions were stationed in Balad, Bagram and Al Udeid from which they traveled to other locations in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. RED HORSE stands for rapid engineers deployable heavy operational repair squadron engineers. It's a highly mobile, self-sufficient combat construction unit capable of worldwide deployment in a short period of time. RED HORSE squadrons are unique because they have their own medical, supply, food services and vehicle maintenance support to provide self-sufficiency for extended periods of time in a hostile environment. "RED HORSE is a low-density, high-demand enabling asset and the 820th RHS is one of three active duty units in the continental U.S.," said Maj. Matthew Joganich, deputy commander of the 820th RHS. The RED HORSE squadrons rotate back-to-back for six months in theater time, plus one month of combat skills training, which means the members are deployed for seven months at a time, the major added. The remaining 166 deployed Airmen arrived here around 6 p.m., Oct. 28.
