22nd CES HVAC Airmen recognized by Derby Board of Education

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Erin McClellan
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Six Airmen assigned to the 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron were recognized by the Derby Board of Education April 21 at Wineteer Elementary School in Wichita.

On Feb. 1, a boiler at Wineteer quit working, leaving them in a bind. Facing having to shut down the school the next day, they reached out to 22nd CES Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Airmen for help, who responded within 20 minutes.

“They called upon us due to the fact that we can respond very rapidly,” said Master Sgt. Ryan Corbin, 22nd CES HVAC NCO-in charge. “If something does go down, we can have something installed within a few hours for temporary heat.”

To help the school, in which the student body is made up of 47 percent military children, they first set up space heaters to get them through the night, but returned early the next morning to install large temporary heaters that would provide heat during the school day until the boiler could be repaired.

To thank the Airmen, the Derby BOE presented them with an I Make a Difference Award.

“The I Make a Difference Award was created by our board of education to recognize individuals and groups who have made a significant impact on the schools,” said Joe Dessenberger, Derby BoE director of operations. “In the case of the 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron, you guys made a significant difference on that day, as the military at McConnell does every day here at Wineteer Elementary.”

McConnell Airmen are always willing to assist and give back to the local community whenever possible, and helping Wineteer Elementary was no exception.