Mapping out success: Engineering technicians show way at RAF Mildenhall

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Victoria H. Taylor
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England-- --  Lewis and Clark; two names made famous by putting America on the map -- literally. As cartographers, the men practiced the art and study of making maps by combining science, aesthetics and different techniques to create the backbone of what the United States looks like on paper.

Luckily, technology has made many advances since painting landscapes on parchment paper in the 1800s. In today's Air Force, collecting information and data mapping is vital to support RAF Mildenhall's mission.

"I like to think that we are the heart of RAF Mildenhall," said Senior Airman Logan Fountaine, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron engineering assistant from Ontario, New York. "We work with every square centimeter of the base."

As highly trained service members, it's the job of an engineering technician to collect and record accurate and precise geospatial information of every building, pipe, electrical line, runway light and everything else situated on base.

"The tools and equipment that we use are amazing pieces of technology," said the Ontario native. "All of the instruments are accurate within centimeters, so we can pinpoint anything on base."

The information is stored on electronic maps and used to plan and manage construction projects and various developments on base.

"We are one of the first on scene whenever a building needs to be modified or built," said Fountaine. "It's our job to keep information up-to-date so we are constantly evaluating potential construction sites and making sure Airmen have the proper facilities and structures to do their jobs."

Engineering assistants are also trained to convert ideas, drafts and calculations into complete construction plans using tools such as computer-aided drafting and map overlays.

"After collecting the data, we use a software program to download it to the computer from the surveying equipment," said Master Sgt. Solomon Vincent, 100th CES programs flight superintendent from Bladensburg, Maryland. "The information is converted and we use the CAD functions to create the maps."

The specialized software allows the engineers to create multiple different detailed maps. Each map focuses on one common item, that way if those evaluating a construction site need to access only the pipe line, there is a map available for just that.

The flight superintendent added that all of the information gathered is sent to U.S. Air Forces in Europe, and then sent all the way to the Pentagon that they have information on every base at their fingertips. In the event that information on available land and hardstand areas at a base is needed, higher headquarters will know exactly what space is accessible.

"A lot goes on behind the scenes that people don't think about when it comes to map making and its preparation," Vincent said. "It can be a stressful job, but at the end of the day I love what I do."