Airmen Keep Muniz ANG Base Powered Up

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Daniel Heaton
  • 156th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MUÑIZ AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Puerto Rico --  Two Citizen-Airmen are helping to power Muñiz Air National Guard Base as the installation recovers from Hurricane Maria, which hit Puerto Rico on Sept. 20. 

Staff Sgt. Carlos Arroyo and Airman 1st Class Pedro Pedraza travel around the base, re-fueling the 20 generators that keep key components of the base operational.

Arroyo is a power production specialist with the 156th Civil Engineering Squadron, based at Muñiz. Pedraza is a radar transmission specialist assigned to the 141st Aircraft Control Squadron, which is based in Aguadilla. The 141st’s home station is about a two hour drive from Muñiz under normal conditions. Immediately after Maria hit Puerto Rico, many roads were closed and Pedraza was not able to make it to Aguadilla. Since he lives near Muñiz, he reported there. Both the 156th and 141st are components of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard. 

“I am the reinforcements,” Pedraza said.

“He is the back-up to the back-up,” Arroyo said. 

Pedraza was assigned to work with the CE squadron which is tasked with doing much of the base cleanup around Muniz. Eventually, the two Airmen were assigned to the re-fueling mission. 

Together, they drive around the base, towing a small fuel tank. They check fuel levels in all the generators on the base, topping them off with diesel fuel as needed. 

“It takes most of the day, Pedraza said. 

Arroyo has been in the 156th for a little over six years. He performed a similar fueling mission in Kuwait in 2012. 

“I never thought I would be doing it here at home station,” he said.

Pedraza joined the Air National Guard about a year ago. Supporting the recovery at Muñiz is his first major assignment.

“I reported in and they put me to work. I am here to help,” he said.