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Video by Senior Airman Kate Bragg

Bayou meets Blue Hawaii: Innovative Readiness Training mission brings Airmen from Barksdale AFB to Oahu

Office of the Secretary of Defense Innovative Readiness Training (IRT)

July 16, 2024 | 3:19

The 307th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) participated in an Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) mission in Honolulu, Hawaii, from July 1 to July 12, focusing on renovations at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum on Ford Island. This Department of Defense initiative aims to provide real-world training for military personnel while benefiting civilian communities. The 307th CES worked on significant renovations to Hangar 79, a historic structure bearing scars from the Pearl Harbor attack, which now houses historical aircraft and the Shealy Restoration Shop. The renovations, including bathroom demolition, mezzanine upgrades, and electrification, are estimated to save the museum $750,000 in labor costs. This mission provided critical hands-on training for the Airmen, enhancing their problem-solving skills and technical expertise. The team, consisting of 29 Airmen with diverse specialties, received valuable experience that mirrors deployment challenges, while their efforts also made a lasting impact on the local community. Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum education advisor Dwayne Haynes praised their work for its lasting significance.