Squadron expected to return next month

Jace Radke

Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004 | 10:06 a.m.

The Nellis-based 820th Red Horse Civil Engineering is expected to finish a humanitarian mission to Guyana, South America, next month and return home to Las Vegas.

Since June, about 80 members of the squadron have served as the lead element in a joint project between the United States military and the Guyana Defense Force, designed to provide training for U.S. personnel and a new clinic and school for the people of Guyana.

The project, known as New Horizons, is scheduled to be completed on Aug. 25, Nellis spokeswoman Lt. Lori Dockendorf said.

The Red Horse squadron, one of three construction and engineering squadrons in the Air Force, was tasked with building the clinic, a rehabilitation center and a school. The projects cost about $495,000 to construct, Dockendorf said.

"The beauty of this training is two fold," said Gen. James T. Hill, commander of the U.S. Southern Command. "The troops get training in an austere environment that they couldn't possibly replicate in the United States.

"On the other side, the country benefits from the buildings that we leave with them and the U.S. benefits from the good will engendered by the soldiers."

The Red Horse squadron is expected to return to Nellis Air Force Base on Sept. 20.