About this Unit
The 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron (732 ECES) was a United States Air Force unit activated to support operations in the Middle East, particularly during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in the 2000s. The unit provided vital engineering services, including construction, repair, and maintenance of airfields, bases, and infrastructure in austere and hostile environments. The 732 ECES was notable for its deployment of "in-lieu-of" Airmen, who often operated outside traditional Air Force roles to support Army missions such as convoy security and base defense. Their contributions played a critical role in maintaining operational capabilities and force protection for U.S. and coalition forces in the region.
Historical Facts
• Provisional Unit: The 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron (ECES) was a provisional unit of the United States Air Force, activated to support operations in the Middle East during the Global War on Terrorism.
• Role: 732 ECES specialized in engineering tasks such as construction, repair, and maintenance of airfield infrastructure, base facilities, and force protection measures.
• Deployment Locations: The squadron was deployed to several locations in Iraq and Afghanistan, including Balad Air Base and Baghdad International Airport.
• Joint Expeditionary Tasking: Unlike most Air Force units, 732 ECES members often worked under Army command, performing “in-lieu-of” tasks to fill shortages in Army engineering teams.
• Route Clearance Missions: 732 ECES teams were among the first Air Force engineers to conduct dangerous route clearance missions, searching for and neutralizing IEDs (improvised explosive devices) on convoys.
• Casualties and Valor: Members of the squadron received several commendations for bravery and some made the ultimate sacrifice during their missions, highlighting the danger of their assignments.
• Rapid Construction: The squadron was credited with rapidly constructing critical infrastructure, such as living quarters, runways, and defensive barriers, under combat conditions.
• Legacy Flights: 732 ECES was composed of Airmen from various home units, making it a composite force drawing expertise from across the Air Force civil engineering community.
• Support for Iraqi Forces: The squadron played a key role in training and supporting local Iraqi engineers, helping to rebuild Iraq’s own infrastructure and technical capacity.
• Unit Deactivation: As U.S. operations in Iraq drew down, the 732 ECES was inactivated, with its legacy continuing through the ongoing contributions of Air Force engineers worldwide.
