Members of the 809th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron pour concrete May 15 for the large area maintenance shelter, or LAMS, pads for aviation maintenance. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nancy Hooks)

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Members of the 210th RED HORSE Squadron lay and spread a cement walkway. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Airmen from the 823rd RED HORSE Squadron gather together for a safety brief before demolition training on Hurlburt Field, Fla., May 17, 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Callaway)

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A member of the 560th RED HORSE Squadron from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., cuts a section of ashphalt as part a humanitarian mission in the Red Lake Indian Reservation for the Red Lake band of Chippewa Indians, just outside of Bemidji, Minnesota. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brian McGloin)

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A Red Horse statue, symbolizing the 219th RED HORSE Squadron, and Malmstrom's 819th RED HORSE Squadron proudly stands outside of the administrative offices at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Eric Peterson)

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Airmen from the 200th RED HORSE Squadron Ohio Air National Guard, restore an M-900 Series Wrecker Aug. 2, 2013, on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. More than 40 Airmen helped with services, vehicle maintenance, and supply while on a temporary duty assignment here. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Amanda Morris)

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200th RED HORSE team

Airmen from the 200th RED HORSE Squadron Ohio Air National Guard, restore an M-900 Series Wrecker August 2, 2013, on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. More than 40 Airmen helped with services, vehicle maintenance, and supply while on a temporary duty assignment here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Amanda Morris/Released)

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Staff Sgt. James Bennet, 554th RED HORSE Squadron pavement and construction equipment journeyman, (right) trains Airman 1st Class Ryan Siders, 554th RHS pavement and construction equipment apprentice, on floating concrete Sept. 18, 2013, at the mock runway training area on Northwest Field, Guam. The 554th RHS is constructing 12 projects at North West Field in preparation for Silver Flag’s movement from Kadena Air Base, Japan, to Guam. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marianique Santos)

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CAMP JOHN PRATT, Afghanistan – Airmen from the 554th RED HORSE Squadron use heavy machinery to fill up Hesco barriers with dirt to create the inner structure of a safety berm to surround and protect a fuel reservoir at Camp John Pratt, Afghanistan, in October 2012. (Courtesy photo)

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Members of Malmstrom’s 819th RED HORSE Squadron pose for a photo at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait. This deployment to Kuwait was one of several places the uniform presented to the museum was worn; other places included Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates; Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan; Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar; and Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. (Courtesy Photo)

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NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev.-- Tech. Sgt. Brandon Mathis, a pavement and equipment specialist from the 820th RED HORSE Squadron, holds his daughter, Audrie, after returning to Nellis Oct. 5. Airmen of the 820th RHS were deployed to Afghanistan for six months for engineering support. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brett Clashman)

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Happy Birthday to the ‘HORSE!

Published Sept. 27, 2013
By Air Force Civil Engineer Center
Public Affairs

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Happy 48th Birthday to the 'HORSE!

In October 1965, the first two RED HORSE units, 554th and 555th Civil Engineering Squadrons - Heavy Repair, were constituted, activated and assigned to Pacific Air Forces. The 554th and the 555th, or "triple nickel," were sent to Cam Ranh Bay Air Base and Phan Rang Air Base, Vietnam, respectively. Then as now, the mission of the rapid engineer deployable heavy operational repair squadron, or RED HORSE, was to construct expeditionary airfields in remote locations.

RED HORSE are mobile, heavy construction units capable of rapid response worldwide. They can deploy to austere, high-threat areas and operate self-sufficiently for 30 days. Currently, there are about 4,000 RED HORSE Airmen in 14 active-duty, Guard and Reserve squadrons.

In 2005, RED HORSE added an airborne capability to support its mission of opening an airbase. Airborne RED HORSE can deliver small teams and specialized equipment by airdrop anywhere in the world.

AFCEC's Readiness Directorate works closely with Air Combat Command to provide overall program management for RED HORSE. The directorate develops instructional and operational publications, standardizes training and provides strategic planning and guidance.

200th RED HORSE team