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These units provide the Luftwaffe with a highly mobile civil engineering response force to support deployments abroad wherever called for. They are self-sufficient mobile formations capable of rapid response and independent operations in remote or high threat-environments. They provide heavy repair capability and construction support when requirements exceed ordinary base civil engineer capabilities and where civilian construction support is absent. They are combat trained, possess organic security elements, and provided with vehicles and appropriate construction, maintenance, supply, and medical equipment. They possess special capabilities such as water-well drilling, explosive demolition, quarry operations, material testing, facility erection, and concrete and asphalt paving.

The unit is structured to deploy in three echelons.

The initial advance party prepares for the arrival of follow-on echelons, conducts initial site surveys, and develops plans for construction requirements. This element performs advanced airfield surveys, including evaluation of airfield pavements, the water supply utility systems, and existing facilities. It also compiles facility and material requirements necessary to accomplish the establishment of the forward airfield.

The first follow-on element brings with it a limited quantity of engineering vehicles and equipment, and is capable of conducting light to medium construction responsibilities. It performs land clearing, site stabilization, area drainage earthwork, and erection of relocatable structures essential for operation of aircraft at an undeveloped location. It also repairs bomb-damaged facilities and systems; installs, expands, and repairs essential utility systems; and provides initial civil-engineering support, including drilling and developing water wells for deploying elements.

The final echelon, comprising the remainder of the squadron, is accompanied by more than 1,500 tonnes of vehicles and equipment. It accomplishes heavy repair of bomb-damaged facilities and utility systems. It erects temporary relocatable facility substitutes and installs or expands essential utility systems, including airfield lighting, to support forward operations.