819th RED HORSE squadron The 819th RED HORSE Squadron is a unit of civil engineers based at Malmstrom AFB , Montana , who are responsible for heavy duty repairs around the world . Originally activated at Abilene , Texas , the unit has been active and inactive at several different bases over the last 55 years . The unit was most recently activated as the first ever Air Force - Air National Guard RED HORSE associate unit at Malmstrom , AFB on 1 June 1997 . < ref name = " Unit History / Awards " > < / ref > The unit is ready at all times to fully deploy to anywhere in the world and remain stationed for an indefinite amount of time . The squadron ' s most notable deployment was in Vietnam , where it received numerous awards for its work during the war . History . Originally in Abilene , Texas , and later at Dyess AFB , the 819th RED HORSE squadron was first known as the 819th installations squadron on 15 June 1956 . It was designated the 819th Civil Engineering Squadron before it was inactivated at Dyess on June 25 , 1961 . The unit was activated and re - designated again at Forbes AFB as the 819th Civil Engineering Squadron ( Heavy Repair ) . The unit was moved to Thailand to organize and then deployed to Phu Cat AB , South Vietnam , in May 1966 . The unit was responsible for heavy construction at the base , completing much of the base and its facilities . The unit installed more than of aircraft revetments along with moving over of earth . The unit remained at Phu Cat until 1970 , when it was moved to Tuy Hoa AB , Vietnam to close the base . The unit returned from Vietnam in April 1970 to Westover AFB until it was assigned to McConnell AFB in 1973 . In 1979 , the unit was stationed at RAF Wethersfield , UK , to be in charge of runway repairs for US forces in Europe and also its original job as a heavy repair unit . The unit was inactivated in August 1990 and would remain inactive until 1 June 1997 , when it was activated at Malmstrom AFB as the first ever Air Force - Air National Guard RED HORSE associate unit . Vietnam . The 819th RED HORSE squadron was stationed at Phu Cat AB and was responsible for building facilities in the former Viet Cong training area . The 819th unit was the only unit at the base to operate and maintain heavy equipment . The men from the squadron were responsible for the installment of T - 17 membrane and AM 2 matting along with all the earth moving required to build revetments . To build all the buildings and roads for the base , the 819th had to move over of earth . The operation and base construction went very smoothly because the 819th made sure that all equipment was operating properly along with preemptive maintenance . Daily maintenance was required for all machinery . This upkeep made it possible to complete the mission quickly and effectively . One of the largest challenges for the Logistics section was the acquisition of materials and food because the base was at the end of the supply line . In a single year , the 819th Civil Engineering Squadron was incredibly productive : " They had moved 1 . 659 million cubic yards of earth , poured 15 , 500 cubic yards of concrete , and constructed buildings totaling 633 , 000 square feet . In addition , they had placed 2 . 1 million square feet of AM - 2 matting , finished over 50 , 000 linear feet of utility lines , fences and storm drainage facilities , erected more than 5 , 000 linear feet of aircraft revetments and completed more than 5 miles of road " . Recent History . In recent years , the 819th RED HORSE squadron has been active in non - war zones to improve infrastructure and provide support to bases around the world . In November 1998 , the 819th along with members of the 820th , went to Central America to repair damages to infrastructure done by Hurricane Mitch . In October 2000 , the 819th deployed to Prince Sultan Air base to pave a dirt munitions road . The road was making travel difficult , so the unit paved over a mile of road . By February 2003 , the 819th established an airborne capability by training with the U . S . Army and Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency . The unit trained to establish MARES so that they could work on airfields around the world . After training , the 819th completed several projects in Southwest Asia , and supported Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom by participating in large construction projects at several bases . Mission . The 819th Squadron ' s mission is to " rapidly mobilize people , equipment , and heavy construction vehicles to anywhere in the world where air power must be employed . " The squadron specifically trains to be able to rapidly deploy and remain self - sufficient for an indefinite length of time . During war time , the main responsibility for the squadron is to do heavy repairs on Air Force facilities , including runway systems . The squadron also provides support on weapon systems used to guard a base in hostile environments . In non - wartime , the unit is responsible for training to be ready for war time responsibilities . To do this , the unit participates in training competitions , humanitarian programs , as well as base renovations and construction . Awards . The 819th RED HORSE unit has received many awards and streamers for its work , mostly during the Vietnam War . The 819th received ten outstanding unit awards , the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm , and the following Campaign Streamers :