200th RED HORSE Squadron
MISSION
To support combat air power worldwide, RED HORSE provides the Commander of Air Force Forces (COMAFFOR) a dedicated, flexible, airfield and base heavy construction and repair capability. RED HORSE also provides many special capabilities that allow the COMAFFOR to move and support missions as the air order of battle dictates. The standard RED HORSE capability consists of 404 personnel (engineers and support personnel) with approximately 1,000 short-tons of vehicles, heavy construction and support equipment. This organic support allows the unit to operate independently for extended periods of time until normal supply channels are established. In addition to the standard capability, the RED HORSE special capabilities consist of approximately 2,200 short-tons, which can be tailored to meet specific construction and repair requirements. When operating in a higher threat, non-permissive environment outside a forward operating base or collocated operating base, the RED HORSE commander, in coordination with the area commander (i.e. combat arms land force commander), determines additional security requirements based on operational risk.
HISTORY
Although regular Air Force units historically completed heavy contingency construction, particularly in Southeast Asia, the 200th Civil Engineering Squadron is the first Air National Guard unit of its type to undertake this mission. The 200th Civil Engineering Squadron Heavy Repair (HR) is headquartered in Port Clinton, Ohio. The 200th sister unit is the 201st Civil Engineering Flight (HR), located at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Pennsylvania. In the event of mobilization, both units would be merged, and the combination of both units would form the 200th Civil Engineering Squadron (HR) (Wartime Configuration). All Air National Guard and Reserve units have approximately 200 personnel assigned.
The combined unit, the 200th RHS, would have approximately 400 airmen and 16 officers. There are approximately 15 cooks, one physician, two medics, and several administrative and support personnel. The remaining personnel include engineers, construction equipment operators, pavements maintenance specialists, construction equipment mechanics, carpenters, electricians, and smaller specialized groups of one to eight personnel. Their grades range from A1C to CMSgt for enlisted and from Lieutenant to Colonel for officers.
The 200th RHS also has an Air Technician Detachment barrier team of five personnel. Their mission is to install aircraft arresting systems at Air National Guard bases or joint civilian-military airports.
For a period of time, the 200th RHS also operated a heavy construction equipment-operators familiarization course. This course began in 1985 when the Army course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri became overburdened. Air National Guardsmen from all the states and territories attended. This course was later dropped.
Members of the 200th RHS attend many diversified training classes: Rapid Runway Repair (RRR), Water Well Drilling, Demolition (Basic and Quarry operations), and M-60 machine gun and M-16 rifle training, just to name a few.
The Air National Guard’s oldest RED HORSE Squadron the 200th RHS has operated for some 37 years out of its Port Clinton base, working with the 201st RHS in Indiantown Gap Military Reservation. Both units got the go-ahead to plus-up under BRAC 2005. The 200th activated its 200-person Detachment 1 in Mansfield, Ohio. The 200th with its Det 1, now brings a 404-person RED HORSE Squadron and one of only two such National Guard squadron-detachment combinations within a single state.
OPERATIONS
Over the years, the 200th RHS has been involved in many interesting projects. Some of these were civic actions in response to disasters such as snow removal, flood control, clean-up after tornados and dike construction. Other projects were completed in line with the units’ military or federal mission. They constructed small arms ranges, built almost all the buildings at their home station, constructed a canteen in Germany, built a family camp area at a base in Alaska, built missile pads in Utah, and constructed dormitories in Canada.
During 2000, the 200th RHS, along with the 201st RED HORSE Flight (RHF) deployed on five rotations to Camp Snoopy, Doha, Qatar, to provide heavy construction operations and support for Operation Southern Watch. The unit also sent personnel on training missions to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; Trenton, Canada; Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah; Traverse City, Michigan, and Grand Junction, Colorado.
Of special note, the Expeditionary 200th /201st RHS completely rebuilt the runway and the Air Force Village at Bagram AB, Afghanistan, and was one of the first units to conduct airfield repair work at night using night vision goggles. Using the hub and spoke concept, they performed work at 13 main operating bases in 10 different countries in Southwest Asia during their 180-day tour, involving over $14.5 million in construction material procurement and heavy equipment rental.
In 2002, the combined squadron completed a rotation at Al Udeid AB, Qatar, to perform construction projects throughout Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It marked the first time an entire reserve component RHS was tasked and partially mobilized to support a major wartime operation and functioned as a full RHS, rather than just augmenting active-duty operations or backfilling open positions.
In April of 2014, the 200th RHS, Camp Perry, Ohio and U.S. Army Europe Office of Deputy Chief of Staff, Engineer (ODCSENG) began planning the design and construction of four multipurpose buildings in Israel. This Joint Exercise Related Construction (ERC) project was the first time the Air National Guard deployed to Israel since 2009 in an ERC-related capacity. The execution of the project provided over 600 Air National Guard Engineers and 50 Navy Seabees an opportunity for effective training and experience working in a unique joint environment. The 200th RHS served as the project lead, providing project management and subject matter experts throughout the project to maintain continuity. The Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1, Gulf Port, Mississippi, provided 17-25 Seabees who were a trusted partner in this effort throughout the duration of the project. The incredible support provided by National Guard Bureau Civil Engineer Readiness Division and United States Air Forces in Europe, ensured transportation was effectively coordinated to transport personnel into and out of the project site.
In 2017, in the wake of Hurricane Irma and Maria the Ohio Air National Guard’s 200th RHS was deployed assisting in the recovery efforts in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. They sent two complete Disaster Relief Bed-down Systems (DRBS) to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and then the second to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria hit. This included water purification systems Each DRBS provided basic life needs such as shelter, showers, latrines, and laundry that sustains up to 150 people for as long as needed.
In 2023, the 200th RHS members were tasked to a remote base in Spain that served 550+ US military members, dependents, and civilian contractors. Staying true to their motto “Can Do, Will Do, and Have Done,” the 200th RHS constructed a new patio, created new parking lots, renovated office space, and accomplished the groundwork for a new firing range.
UNIT PATCH
LINEAGE
25 Sep 1971 – 200th Civil Engineering Squadron federally recognized
15 Oct 1988 – All units redesignated Civil Engineering Squadron, RED HORSE
8 Mar 1989 – All units redesignated RED HORSE Civil Engineering Squadron
1 Mar 1994 – All units redesignated RED HORSE Squadron
Mar 2004 – All ANG units redesignated as RED HORSE Squadron.
STATIONS
Port Clinton, OH
ASSIGNMENTS
HQ Ohio Air National Guard