Turkish AF civil engineering leaders visit AFCEC

  • Published
  • By Kevin Elliott
  • AFCEC Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  David Bek, director of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center's Energy Directorate, met recently with senior civil engineering leaders of the Turkish air force who were visiting in an effort to learn more about the Air Force's facilities energy program.

"They [Turkish engineers] expressed interest in some of our program processes as well lessons learned, especially in the renewable energy and utilities privatization arenas," Bek said. "Even with language barrier challenges, we effectively communicated our major facilities energy goals and business lines that are structured to make progress towards those goals."

The Turkish engineers included Col. Refik Olmez, chief of the TURAF civil engineering department; Col. Olcay Yilmaz, 3rd Construction Squadron commander, Col. Haluk Oren, chief of the Turkish Civil Engineer School and Lt. Col. Kubilay Ecerkale, head of the NATO Security Investment Program Branch.

The TURAF officials also visited AFCEC's Silver Flag site and 325th Civil Engineer Squadron for a better understanding of how U.S. Air Force civil engineers support the warfighter as an enterprise, as well as how they manage transformations both organizationally and in technology and research and development. 

They received mission briefs from AFCEC's Energy, Operations and Readiness Directorates; observed various aspects of the Airfield Damage Repair program, both the fielding and research and development divisions; toured various labs of the Readiness Directorate's Acquisition Division; and visited the 325th CES construction management, fire, emergency management and explosive ordnance disposal departments.

Bek believes it was a valuable exchange.

"The Turkish air force civil engineering leaders were appreciative of the information we provided," he said. "We were pleased to answer their questions and encourage them in their facility energy program journey."