Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Overseas Operations
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 California Air Guard members help re-do Latvian high school By Tech. Sgt. Joseph Prouse
                163rd Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
 ALUKSNE, Latvia - Forty members of the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing Civil Engineering Squadron (CES) deployed to Latvia in August to refurbish a high school in the town of Aluksne about 13 miles from Latvia's border with Russia. The wing members worked alongside Latvian Army engineers to demolish existing equipment and install 84 windows before handing it off to a North Dakota Air National Guard unit to install 43 additional windows. The Airmen worked under the supervision of a civilian Latvian contractor to learn the local building standards and the processes required to retrofit the four-story building, which is nearly a century old. "Having only one task of replacing windows can make the job tedious, but [the CES] always comes to work hard once we get in that groove," said Maj. Heidi Gibson, field commander for the 163rd Airmen who deployed for the exercise. "Projects seem to come together, and before you know it, the two weeks are up and you can stand back, see your efforts and enjoy the sense of accomplishment of a job well done." The Airmen's work will provide the Latvian students with thicker glass and double panes, putting a buffer between them and the harsh winters of the region. With the new windows, students will also have the ability to open the windows and let in fresh air. "Looking at your faces and your smiles, we believe this joint effort will succeed and we will be able to start the school year in a newly renovated building," school Principal Diana Dubre told the workers. Despite some of the Airmen deploying for the first time, coordinating efforts with the Latvian Army proved to be a seamless process. "Part of the success came from sharing quarters and mixing the teams together," Senior Master Sgt. Andre Kreil said. "Instead of having American and Latvian teams, they just molded into one, giving all of us a chance to get to know these people on and off the job." Working alongside the Latvian Soldiers was no different from any assignment back home, Senior Airman Jarrett Smith said. "We teamed up with a great bunch of Latvian Army engineers," he said. "Once you get over the language hurdles, it becomes like any job site where everyone is working to get the best finished product." Work on the historic school building was important to the local populace. The structure is named after Ernst Gluck, a prominent figure in Latvian history who translated the bible into Latvian. "The town members conveyed a sense of pride for the building because it was built during a time of non-occupation, making it a truly Latvian construction - now with a little help from us," Gibson said.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 NY National Guard Strengthens Bonds with Allies in Morocco Overseas Operations • 6 days ago
 Alaska Guard Soldiers Honored Before Middle East Deployment Overseas Operations • 13 days ago
 29th Infantry Division HQ Heads Exercise Immediate Response Overseas Operations • 18 days ago
 134th Medical Company Joins Combined Resolve Exercise Overseas Operations • 19 days ago
 Guard Soldiers, Czech Partners Celebrate Victory in Europe Day Overseas Operations • 21 days ago
 2024 (24)  2023 (57)  2022 (71)  2021 (58)  2020 (41)  2019 (56)  2018 (55)  2017 (46)  2016 (31)  2015 (36)  2014 (48)  2013 (64)  2012 (134)  2011 (163)  2010 (179)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil