BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
The 583rd RED HORSE Squadron members gathered for the squadron's official inactivation ceremony, Beale Air Force Base, Calif., here, Sept. 13th.
A RED HORSE unit is a mobile heavy construction civil engineering unit which, unlike most Air Force Reserve assets, can respond to civil emergencies like natural disasters. The unit can repair bridges, levees, remove debris, and even restore waterways, in the local area and on overseas deployments.
The unit, the first on the West Coast, performed their unique capabilities in both wartime and humanitarian missions around the world during its two years of operation.
'In its brief existence the 583rd RHS completed the critical removal of 4,000 linear feet of runway fencing on base, revitalized a dam and water source for the Cahluila Indian Tribes near Santa Rosa, participated in OPERATIONS ENDURING FREEDOM and INHERENT RESOLVE in Southwest Asia and BEYOND THE HORIZON in Central America as well as many other projects,' Major Rudolph Bartley, 583rd RED HORSE Squadron commander, said.
Air Force Reserve Command inactivated the unit using a strategic planning process to make tough choices in support of higher priority Air Force requirements.
"When we heard that it was official that the 583rd RHS was due to be inactivated there was a moment of uncertainty, frustration, and disbelief," Bartley said. "But true to the core of this unit, it quickly turned into 'let's keep pushing and doing the work we were trained to do."
The RED HORSE, with 58 personnel left out of 200, had various civil engineering, logistics, security forces, support personnel, and medical team positions, who have relocated to other units around the local area and across the U.S.
'A1C Corey Gamez, 583rd supply technician and Lincoln resident, transferring to the 940th Logistics Readiness Squadron, said his supervisor made everything easier by making the arrangements for his new position so he wasn't wondering where he would be going.'
'In such a short time and despite the many obstacles, we led the way, moved the needle and majorly contributed to the Air Force Reserve's mission,' Bartley said. "It's a true testament to the resolve of the men and women of the 583rd RHS."