RED HORSE departing for New Horizons

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Robert Lombardo, a heavy equipment operator for 823rd RED HORSE Squadron, practices using a crane in preparation for Exercise New Horizons on Hurlburt Field, Fla., March 20, 2013. The last of nearly 100 Airmen from 823rd RED HORSE departed Hurlburt Field for Belize, Central America to build schools, showers and other structures during the exercise. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Kentavist P. Brackin)

RED HORSE headed for New Horizions

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Tori D. Wynn, the non-commissioned officer-in-charge for supply customer service section for 823rd RED HORSE Squadron, checks supplies and equipment to be shipped to Exercise New Horizons, March 20, 2013 on Hurlburt Field, Fla. The last of nearly 100 Airmen from 823rd RED HORSE departed Hurlburt Field for Belize, Central America to build schools, showers and other structures during the exercise. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Kentavist P. Brackin)

RED HORSE departs for New Horizons

Published March 28, 2013
By Senior Airman Kentavist P. Brackin
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Nearly 100 823rd RED HORSE Squadron Airmen from Hurlburt Field partnered with Central American personnel to build facilities and public works structures as part of a training exercise in Belize City, Belize, March 25.
The exercise, known as New Horizons, is a bilateral endeavor between U.S. service members and Belizean personnel to provide medical and dental treatment and construction services to local residents.
"This exercise is unique," said H. E. Vinai Thummalapally, U.S. ambassador to Belize, during the opening of a high school in Belize City March 25. "U.S. Airmen and soldiers from active and National Guard units will build four new classrooms in the Belize and Orange Walk Districts, and render medical services in different villages and towns throughout the country of Belize."
Approximately 500 U.S. service members are slated to participate in the exercise on a rotational basis. Another 150 Belizean personnel, consisting of 120 civil engineers and 30 medical personnel are also participating in the exercise.
During the exercise, RED HORSE Airmen will build schools, showers, toilets and other structures at several sites throughout the country.
"We're going to be improving the quality of life for the kids of Belize," said Airman 1st Class Jason Berry, a water fuels system maintenance worker for 823rd RED HORSE. "It's very exciting, because it's also my first time deploying and working in another country. I haven't had a chance to work with another service outside of technical school, so I think it will be a good experience see how other services work, too."
For more information or updates on projects about RED HORSE and their efforts, checkout the New Horizons 2013 page on Facebook.