20th Civil Engineer Squadron at Shaw puts boots to the ground to improve community

Service has taken on many different forms for the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron from Shaw Air Force Base. Whether it's building Alaskan tents and structures for wing events, handing out candy at the Boo Bash or volunteering at schools and STEM programs, the squadron is always giving back to the community.

When Senior Airman Alan Mura joined the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron, he was enamored with the lush landscape and beautiful views South Carolina had to offer. However, on his commute to work every morning, he was distracted by the massive amounts of litter surrounding the road. He and his wife, Julie, wanted to enact the change they wished to see and gathered a group of 11 volunteers to clean one mile of that road. In that one mile, the group picked up over 1,500 pounds of trash, 14 tires and various pieces of furniture.

Operation Assist was born out of the need to improve the community. A nonprofit focused on organizing and empowering community members to take action, Operation Assist's mission is to create positive change. Volunteers take pride in their hard work and commitment to the community while creating a more sustainable environment for everyone's benefit.

"Operation Assist is very dear to our squadron," said Lt. Col. Jimmy Oxendine, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. The organization has dedicated 550 hours, organized 150 volunteers for 12 cleanups across two states and removed over 10,000 pounds of trash. The two most recent cleanups took place at Wateree Dam on Aug. 19 and Nov. 18. "I'm very proud of Mura and the airmen of the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron," continued Oxendine.

Reflecting on the impact Operation Assist has had on him as a civil engineer, Senior Airman Joshua Carpenter said, "Seeing military members and civilians come together to help our local community gives me a great sense of pride. It has strengthened my sense of purpose as an airman civil engineer, emphasizing the vital role we play in supporting our community."

Across all ranks, every engineer in the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron shows support for one another. The local community has also shown its support and gratitude for the work the engineers do, serving as a reminder of the positive impact the squadron has.

"Volunteering is what sets us apart from other squadrons; it's part of our identity," said Mura. "Our culture of family and service has proven to be an asset to not only the wing, but the local community."

Members of Operation Assist even get their children involved in their community service. Mura says he enjoys watching the children learn the value of giving back at such an early age. The culture of service and giving back is embedded into each airman's professional and personal lives at Shaw Air Force Base.

Carpenter said Operation Assist has given the squadron a sense of deeper purpose and community. "I've learned the importance of being able to adapt and work well with others, putting my personal needs aside and coming together with the community for the success of the mission," he explained.

Airman 1st Class Hunter Price credits Operation Assist with the ability to take volunteering experiences and apply them to his daily job. "Operation Assist allows me to be a better civil engineer, day in and day out. The nonprofit gives airmen an opportunity to serve at a greater capacity," he said.