U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kevin Tanenbaum

Airmen, assigned to the 555th Red Horse Squadron, tighten bolts on structures that will become the roof of the new firehouse at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 2. What make the 555th an invaluable asset to Nellis AFB are the relationships it shares with other squadrons on base, including the 820th RHS.

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — Located in the desert of Area 2 on the northeast side of Nellis AFB, the 555th RED HORSE Squadron is a small reserve unit that works with the 820th RHS to accomplish a much larger mission whether it’s on the installation or during a worldwide deployment.

The 555th RHS works in conjunction with its larger active duty sister squadron, supporting their training operations, in order to accomplish the mission at hand, and accomplish total force integration.

With the 555th being directly adjacent to its sister squadron, being able to lend a hand with important training becomes a much simpler task.
“At the 820th they have schedules they have to meet, so on the weekends we come out here and give them that extra hand,” said Senior Airman Alan Carrillo, 555th RHS heavy equipment operator.

Currently, the 555th RHS is working with the 820th RHS to build a new firehouse in Area 2. The relationships that are shared with other squadrons on base, including the 820th RHS, are what make the 555th RHS an invaluable asset to Nellis AFB.

“We’re very excited to have a relationship with everyone on base,” said Chief Master Sgt. Andy Weeks, 555th RHS chief enlisted manager. “We can help the 820th RHS spread out and accomplish what’s needed.”

In accomplishing what is needed, the 555th RHS has had an integral part in constructing the new firehouse on base. The reserve squadron gives the 820th RHS a boost in order to complete missions in a much more efficient manner.

“As a squadron we help the 820th RHS prepare, so that on Monday they can come in and hit the floor running,” said Carrillo.

The contributions that the 555th RHS is able to provide can in part be attributed to how closely they coexist with their sister unit, the 820th RHS, and how closely the skill sets by the Airmen are that make up both squadrons.

“The Airmen are the most important thing out here,” said Major Ignacio Macapagal, 555th RHS director of operations. “These kids are eager, and they want to do great work”

The enthusiastic Airmen of the 555th RHS, even only working one weekend a month and two weeks a year, have provided crucial manpower and are a pivotal element in the overall construction of the firehouse.

While these Airmen are providing the manpower needed in completing this project, the project itself is providing them with the experience and training needed to become even more capable in their career field.

“As traditional reservists we don’t get that much on the job training, and if we deploy we’re only relying on two days of the month to accomplish our mission. What this does is gives us more of a real-life scenario, and its more hands on,” said Carrillo. “A lot of people don’t perform their Air Force career jobs in their civilian side, for example me, I don’t do this on the outside so the next time I do this will be next month so this relates more to real life scenarios and gives us the proper training we need.”

With this type of training available, these Airmen learn and serve a pivotal role in the total force of the Air Force.

“All these Airmen have a large part in what we do, and we couldn’t do it without them,” said Weeks.