About this Unit
The 1100th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) was a United States Air Force unit assigned to Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. Activated in the mid-20th century, the 1100 CES was responsible for base civil engineering functions, including construction, maintenance, and emergency response in support of base operations. The squadron played a crucial role in supporting the unique mission requirements of the National Capital Region, ensuring the infrastructure and facilities at Bolling AFB remained operational and secure. The 1100 CES was eventually inactivated as part of organizational restructuring and base realignment efforts.
Historical Facts
• Origins: The 1100th Civil Engineering Squadron (1100 CES) was first activated in the early 1970s as part of Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C., providing crucial base engineering and infrastructure support.
• Presidential Proximity: Due to its location at Bolling AFB, the 1100 CES often handled projects directly supporting operations involving Air Force One and other U.S. government VIP aircraft.
• Disaster Response: The unit played a vital role in emergency response and recovery operations after the 1982 Air Florida Flight 90 crash in Washington, D.C., assisting with logistics and infrastructure management.
• Historic Renovations: 1100 CES was responsible for preserving several historic buildings on Bolling AFB, some dating to World War I, balancing modernization with heritage conservation.
• Cold War Readiness: During the Cold War, the squadron maintained and upgraded command and control facilities critical for national defense operations in the National Capital Region.
• Environmental Initiatives: The squadron initiated one of the Air Force’s early recycling and energy conservation programs in the 1980s, setting precedents for other bases.
• Gulf War Support: 1100 CES provided rapid deployment personnel and materials support for operations related to Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the early 1990s.
• Base Realignment: The squadron oversaw major infrastructure changes during the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) rounds, adapting facilities to new missions and reducing excess capacity.
• Merger and Legacy: In 2005, the 1100 CES was inactivated and its mission absorbed into the 11th Civil Engineer Squadron, but its legacy continues in the infrastructure supporting Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling.
• Awards and Recognition: Throughout its existence, the 1100 CES earned several Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards for exemplary service, innovation, and support of critical national missions.
