157 CES Airmen build FORTS

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Erica Rowe
  • 157th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
PEASE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.H --  Whether it's an exercise on base or a natural disaster, the Airmen from the 157th Civil Engineering Squadron will be prepared to set up a working facility in less than 10 minutes - anytime, anywhere.

"The FORTS (Fold-Out Rigid Temporary Shelters) fold-out shelter provides us the ability to set up a facility more rigid than a tent in a field environment," said Tech. Sgt. Sophia Inman, 157 CES emergency management craftsman. "We can deploy the shelter in support of disaster operations and local events as an operations center, or as a rest and relief area...the applications are nearly endless and can be tailored to our needs."

Unlike tents, which are the typical facility used by the military, the fold-out shelter is equipped with a plethora of amenities.

"It provides climate control, phone and LAN connections, electrical outlets, and hookups for limited personal hygiene, such as a sink," said Inman, who was one of three individuals tasked with setting up the shelter.

For Inman and her crew, this was the first time setting up the fold-out shelter, but the task didn't prove to be too overwhelming. 

"It was very easy to set up" Inman said "Much easier than a tent."

According to their website, FORTS are designed to withstand wind loads of over 100mph and can easily be setup on a multitude of surfaces to include grass, asphalt, sand, dirt, or concrete floors.

To see the FORT take- down process, check out the video here: https://youtu.be/kjQd8-BxlW8