Keesler's 85th EIS deploys to PR

KEESLER AFB, Miss. – Hand-picked personnel from the Air Force’s 85th Engineering Installation Squadron at Keesler AFB deployed Oct. 13 to repair Puerto Rico’s land mobile radio communications infrastructure for first responders following Hurricane Maria. The 85th EIS was requested by name to help get it back up and running. “U.S. Army North had some direct influence in our tasking to Puerto Rico,” said Maj. Jason Read, operations director for the 85th EIS. “One of the comments a FEMA representative made was that they can’t make the proper assessments; that’s what they need us there for. At that point we knew we had to be prepared for everything.” The 85th EIS is the only active duty engineering and installation unit in the Air Force. Its expertise and reputation is the reason why they were selected. They handpicked every team member based on their skill sets ranging from radio frequency, airfield communications, cable antenna, translators and someone with local knowledge of Puerto Rico. (Source: Keesler AFB 10/13/17)