JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the new 433rd Medical Group building at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Jan. 4, attended by 433rd Airlift Wing leadership and guests. This new building has been three years in the making. The building cost was originally estimated at $9.9 million, but was completed under budget at $9 million.
Currently, the 433rd MDG leadership and its three subordinate squadrons are physically located in three different facilities. The new building will bring all of these organizations together.
“This new building creates even more synergy for all three squadrons to converge and integrate similar skill-sets, equipment, instructors, and leadership under one roof,” said Col. Ernest Vasquez, 433rd MDG commander. “It strengthens the deploy together and train together model that generates a combat ready lethal force.”
The sentiment was reiterated by the wing commander.
“Improved training through close contact, convenience and availability for our three medical units located in the same building will enhance and accelerate medical mission readiness,” said Col. Thomas K. Smith Jr., 433rd Airlift Wing commander.
This new facility offers many improvements over the old buildings.
“The old building only offered static meeting rooms, did not have classrooms nor did it offer any wireless or mobile technology,” Vasquez said. “This new building is designed to enhance communication with the open design. It will have wireless capability throughout thus allowing our members to move freely within the facility with their mobile devices. In addition to conference rooms and classrooms the building also has several ‘huddle’ rooms for collaboration along with mobile digital platforms for presentations anywhere in the building.”
The new building is scheduled to be fully operational by Feb. 9.