380 CES

• Origins: The 380th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) is part of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, which traces its roots back to World War II as a heavy bombardment group. • Deployment Location: The 380 CES is currently based at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, supporting operations in the CENTCOM area of responsibility. • Desert Operations: The squadron is renowned for its expertise in “bare base” construction—rapidly establishing and sustaining infrastructure in austere desert environments. • Emergency Response: 380 CES includes fire protection and emergency management teams that have responded to numerous aircraft and facility emergencies, often under combat conditions. • Environmental Stewardship: The squadron has led many initiatives in water conservation and energy efficiency, crucial for sustaining base operations in arid conditions. • Expeditionary Engineering: 380 CES played a key role in major runway expansions and rapid airfield repairs, ensuring continuous sortie generation for combat operations. • Historic Missions: During Operation Inherent Resolve, the unit supported missions against ISIS by keeping critical infrastructure operational under high-tempo conditions. • International Partnerships: Squadron engineers frequently collaborate with host nation forces and coalition partners, building interoperability and regional security ties. • Recognition: The 380 CES has received multiple Air Force-level awards for outstanding unit performance and innovation in contingency engineering. • Morale and Resiliency: Despite operating far from home, the squadron has a strong tradition of fostering camaraderie and resilience through team-building events and community projects.