Norwich – Before its gates could be opened to the public this August, reservists from the 512th Civil Engineer Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, had a mission to fulfill: complete a handful of construction and infrastructure projects that would greatly improve an aging fairgrounds in Norwich for years to come.

The Airmen joined reserve units from Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, as part of the Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program. The IRT program provides opportunities for Active, Guard, and Reserve service members across all military branches to take on community service projects while preparing them for real-world contingencies.

“The focus of the IRT program is to make the training as realistic as possible in a contingency environment with the safety of being stateside,” said Chief Master Sgt. Todd Jones, Air Force Reserve Command IRT civil engineer planner. “It’s one of the best avenues for Airmen.”

Since the late 1800s, the Chenango County fairgrounds has entertained families with harness races, local farmers showing off prize livestock and traveling vendors operating rides and games.

Over the years, its facilities and public spaces have needed maintenance. The weathered facade of the grandstand is long overdue for repairs. A cramped office space, barely large enough for two people, lacks modern amenities. There’s limited power and access to running water for vendors.

Due to budget constraints and narrow resources, upgrades and repairs have been a slow process in the past. But through the IRT program, the Chenango County Agricultural Society had an opportunity to submit their service projects for military support. Once approval was given by the Pentagon, the agricultural society could finally obtain the help it needed.

“We were eternally grateful that we were eligible for this program,” said Mary Weidman, Chenango County clerk and Agricultural Society president. “We’re a small fair, and our budget doesn’t normally include doing these types of infrastructure improvements.”

With the necessary plans in place, the 512th CES Airmen were put to task the moment they entered the fairgrounds. Over the next two weeks, they fulfilled duties such as completing the construction of a modernized office for fairground staff, expanding power throughout the property and installing the necessary components for increased water usage.