The 186th Air Refueling Wing Civil Engineering Squadron (ARW/CES), of the Mississippi National Guard based at Key Field, conducted their first training operation aboard NAS Meridian, Jan. 30-Feb. 2. The 186th ARW/CES personnel were able to fulfill training requirements involving electrical, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, pipefitting, plumbing, and carpentry disciplines alongside station Public Works Department personnel. The 186th swarmed the installation with 48 motivated airmen, accomplishing several priority projects to include the removal of trees and building material damaged by the December storm, replacement of 100’ of gas line, replacement of several airfield lights, and an engineering survey of 10 acres around Lake Martha. Collectively, the 186th performed 817 hours of skilled labor, rapidly expediting several projects and saving the installation over $75,000 in equivalent costs for contracted performance. This operation was made possible through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by CAPT Luke Davis and Col Cindy Smith on Dec. 13, 2024.