DS2 to take over civil engineering

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Adawn Kelsey
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Tx --  Defense Support Services, LLC, or DS2, the contracting service that was selected February to take control of Sheppard's civil engineering functions finally begin work Aug. 1. 

"We are in professional engineering and maintenance to Sheppard. Our priorities this year are to get established and concentrate on improving the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. We are will also be attending to the projects that the wing needs accomplished the most," said John Cole the program manager for DS2. 

DS2 will assume responsibility for the flight's previously known as engineering design, readiness, environmental, resources, and operations. 

Mark McBurnett said he expects DS2 to provide the same high level of service for Sheppard AFB, Lake Texoma Annex and Fredrick Municipal Airport that the 82nd Civil Engineer Squadron provided for years. 

"DS2 is a well established corporation by themselves, but they are also a subsidiary of a very well known defense contractor, Lockheed Martin," he said. 

As the previous deputy, base civil engineer working for a military base civil engineer, Mark McBurnett will become the civilian base civil engineer. 

"I will be managing the fire department, housing flight and 19 service contracts such as grounds maintenance, custodial, and protective coating maintenance," he said. 

Mr. McBurnett has personally been working with contractors his entire career at Sheppard. He said Sheppard has used contractors in the areas of construction, environmental and energy management for many years. 

"My experience has shown that all three types of employees, military, civilians and contractors are needed to bring success to the Air Force mission. Each one has different capabilities to offer," Mr. Burnett said. 

He said DS2 is striving to make the transition from government services to contract services as seamless as possible. 

"I think it's going to be a very successful partnership with the military and we're expecting to have nine year contract with Sheppard Air Force Base and I have nothing but positive thoughts on how it's going to go," Mr. Cole said.