The 174th Fighter Wing's Newest Civil Engineer Officer

  • Published
  • By Maj.James Oaksford
  • 174FW/
Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse, NY --  1st. Lt. Roy Richardson recently completed the second course in a 2-part series at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at Wright-Patterson AFB. To become a Civil Engineer you must possess an engineering degree and attend two courses: Introduction to the Base Civil Engineer Organization for Reserve Forces and Reserve Forces Air Base Combat Engineering. The courses are two weeks long and require computer lab work, group presentations and some late nights.

Prior to coming to the 174th Fighter Wing Richardson served at the 143rd Aerial Port Squadron at Quonset Point, RI, the 109th Aerial Port Flight at Scotia, NY and received his commission at the 109th Civil Engineering Squadron prior to transferring to Hancock Field.

Richardson balanced his military life with his civilian company in Latham, NY by completing one course last year and the final course this past January. He received his badge from Colonel Nicholas Desport, the Civil Engineer, Air Force Reserve (AFRC) on January 29, 2010. He currently is the Operations Flight Chief in the 174th FW Civil Engineering Squadron.

The Air Force Institute of Technology, or AFIT, is the Air Force's graduate school of engineering and management as well as its institution for technical professional continuing education. A component of Air University and Air Education and Training Command, AFIT is committed to providing defense-focused graduate and professional continuing education and research to sustain the technological supremacy of America's air and space forces.

AFIT accomplishes this mission through three resident schools: the Graduate School of Engineering and Management, the School of Systems and Logistics, and the Civil Engineer and Services School. Through its Civilian Institution Programs, AFIT also manages the educational programs of officers enrolled in civilian universities, research centers, hospitals, and industrial organizations. Since resident degrees were first granted in 1956, more than 16,000 graduate and 350 doctor of philosophy degrees have been awarded. In addition, Air Force students attending civilian institutions have earned more than 12,000 undergraduate and graduate degrees in the past twenty years.