166th CES

• Origins: The 166th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) is a unit of the Delaware Air National Guard, first activated in 1956 as part of the 166th Airlift Wing. • Air Base Support: The 166th CES provides essential engineering, emergency management, and fire protection services at New Castle Air National Guard Base. • Disaster Response: Unit members have deployed for disaster relief operations, including Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy, providing critical infrastructure repairs and support. • Global Deployments: The squadron has deployed personnel to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other overseas locations in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. • Prime BEEF: The 166th CES is part of the Air Force’s Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force (Prime BEEF), tasked with rapid deployment and base construction in austere environments. • Community Service: The unit is active in community outreach, assisting with local infrastructure projects and partnering with Delaware emergency services. • Environmental Stewardship: The squadron has led environmental restoration projects, including wetland preservation and hazardous material cleanup at the base. • Recognition: The 166th CES has received multiple Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards for its exemplary performance in both peacetime and contingency operations. • Firefighting Excellence: The squadron’s Fire Emergency Services Flight has responded to major emergencies both on base and in the local community. • Women in Leadership: The 166th CES has been recognized for promoting women engineers and leaders within its ranks, reflecting the evolving diversity of the Air National Guard.