Dirt Boyz get dirty

U. S. Air Force Airmen with the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron, also known as the Dirt Boyz, spread pavement evenly at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Jan. 8, 2019. The Dirt Boyz were working on a road that gives fire fighters faster access to the main road leading to a faster response time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman BrieAnna Stillman)

Dirt Boyz get dirty

The 20th Civil Engineer Squadron Airmen, also known as the Dirt Boyz, spray shovels, equipment and their shoes with asphalt remover at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Jan. 8, 2019. The asphalt remover makes it easier to take the pavement off because it is a sticky material and is hard to remove once hardened. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman BrieAnna Stillman)

Dirt Boyz get dirty

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Chance Cunningham, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron pavement and construction equipment craftsman, uses a road roller to compact pavement at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Jan. 8, 2019. The road roller was consistently driven over the pavement until it was even with any existing asphalt. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman BrieAnna Stillman)

Dirt Boyz get dirty

Published Jan. 11, 2019
By Senior Airman BrieAnna Stillman
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Team Shaw’s 20th Civil Engineer Squadron Airmen, also known as the Dirt Boyz, get down to business fixing roads and other structures throughout Shaw.

Of course, being a dirt boy does not just consist of paving roads, there are many different trades learned within CES.

“There is a lot of freedom with how we can do our job, and it’s cool knowing how to do different construction projects,” said Airman 1st Class Cesar Taveras, 20th CES pavements and construction equipment apprentice.

One way the Dirt Boyz greatly impacted the base was by fixing an access road where a water break occurred under the pavement which lead to excavating the area and repaving it.

“This specific road is very important because it allows the fire fighters to get where they need to be faster,” said Staff Sgt. Chance Cunningham, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron pavement and construction equipment craftsman. “This is one of the reasons I love my job because I can look at something and say ‘I did that or I fixed that’.”

The dirt Boyz greatly impact many of Team Shaw members by fixing homes in base housing, properly paving the roads to prevent accidents and create faster mobility and everything in between.