139th CES DEF

• Origins: The 139th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) is part of the Missouri Air National Guard, stationed at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, Missouri. "DEF" indicates their role as a Deployable Engineering Flight. • Disaster Response: The 139th CES has a distinguished record of responding to state and national emergencies, including tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes, supporting both military and civilian authorities. • Global Deployments: Members of the unit have deployed to multiple overseas locations in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and other missions, providing vital engineering and infrastructure support. • Prime BEEF: The 139th CES is a "Prime BEEF" (Base Engineer Emergency Force) team, capable of rapid deployment to build, repair, and maintain airfield and base operations anywhere worldwide. • Historic Floods: The squadron played a crucial role during the Great Flood of 1993, helping reinforce levees and provide humanitarian assistance around St. Joseph, Missouri. • Innovation: The unit is known for adopting advanced engineering techniques and technologies, including rapid runway repair and modular construction, to improve mission readiness. • Recognition: The 139th CES has received several Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards for its exemplary performance in both peacetime and combat support missions. • Humanitarian Missions: In addition to combat roles, the unit has participated in humanitarian civic action projects in Central America, building schools, clinics, and infrastructure for underserved communities. • Training Exercises: The squadron regularly conducts joint training with Army Corps of Engineers and other branches to enhance inter-service cooperation and disaster preparedness. • Community Involvement: The 139th CES is deeply involved in local Missouri communities, supporting veterans’ events, STEM education, and public safety initiatives, strengthening ties between the military and civilians.