12/6/2012 - U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brandon Hoptop, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron pavement and construction equipment operator, uses a stanchion and rod to measure the ground’s evenness for a repair project, Dec. 5, 2012, during an Operation Readiness Exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan. Faced with obstacles from simulated blasts, CES Airmen aimed to provide rapid repairs standard for three 50-foot craters within a four-hour time period. The 35th Fighter Wing’s ORE tested Airmen’s ability to operate in a contingency environment while facing multiple threats and bring stability to the Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force by Staff Sgt. Jess Lockoski)

12/6/2012 - U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Lennon Brixey, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron pavement and construction equipment operator, clears debris from a simulated missile impact crater with a front end loader , Dec. 5, 2012, during an Operation Readiness Exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The CES Airmen from the airfield damage repair flight practiced repairing a simulated taxiway to rapidly return the flightline to normal operations as quickly as possible. (U.S. Air Force by Staff Sgt. Jess Lockoski)

12/6/2012 - U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Roach, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron pavement and construction equipment operator, clears debris from a simulated missile impact crater with a front end loader , Dec. 5, 2012, during an Operation Readiness Exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The mock runway area on Security Hill gives the Airmen from the airfield damage repair flight the ability to practice their craft without damaging the active runway or taxiways. (U.S. Air Force by Staff Sgt. Jess Lockoski)

12/6/2012 - U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron repair a simulated missile impact crater Dec. 5, 2012, during an Operation Readiness Exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan. Faced with obstacles from simulated blasts, The Airmen aim to provide rapid repairs standard for three 50-foot craters within a four-hour time period. The 35th Fighter Wing’s ORE tested the Airmen’s ability to operate in a contingency environment while facing multiple threats and bring stability to the Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force by Staff Sgt. Jess Lockoski)

12/6/2012 - Two front-end loaders from the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron airfield damage repair flight clear debris from a simulated missile impact crater during an Operational Readiness Exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 5, 2012. The mock runway area on Security Hill gives the flight the ability to practice their craft without damaging the active runway or taxiways. (U.S. Air Force by Staff Sgt. Jess Lockoski)