Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s (JBER) 773d Civil Engineer Squadron is always ready to respond during inclement weather days. Anchorage sees an average of 77.9 inches of snowfall per year, according to Alaska’s First Alert Weather team. To keep up with Anchorage’s weather, the squadron operates 24/7 from October to May to keep the base running smoothly.
“It’s just so we can keep the mission going,” U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Skyler Shotwell said. “We don’t necessarily have to worry about when the call comes in because we’re ready all the time.” The team consists of about 100 civilians and service members. Crews operate in three eight-hour shifts to ensure someone is always ready to respond to the weather.
According to Shotwell, the team tracks weather patterns in advance and prepares before the weather hits. Together, he said, they create a game plan and adjust as needed. “If we get too much accumulation, we’ll have to bring on different pieces of equipment. But as soon as it starts falling, we’re going,” Shotwell said.
