RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
A fighter training squadron that was reassigned to Randolph nearly three years ago will soon have a permanent home.
The 435th FTS, Randolph's only fighter training squadron, will vacate its temporary residence, two portable structures sandwiched between two hangars on the east flightline, and move into the south end of nearby Hangar 6 this fall.
The estimated completion date for the $4.47 million, 15,000-square-foot facility is Oct. 21, said Lt. Col. Bruce Smith, 435th FTS commander.
"We're looking forward to it," he said. "It's a long time coming. It's always exciting to start up a new squadron in a new place."
The 435th FTS was activated at Randolph in 1997 to provide training via Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, a course that prepares pilots who have earned their wings in undergraduate pilot training for flight operations unique to fighter aircraft. Some of the students are also trained to be IFF instructors.
The squadron was relocated to Moody Air Force Base, Ga., in October 2001, but was reassigned to Randolph in November 2006. Since then, the unit has operated in two portable buildings between hangars that house the 99th and 560th Flying Training Squadrons and the Air Force Occupational Measurement Squadron.
Susanna Pickle, Air Education and Training Command Base Realignment and Closure program manager, said one of the project's biggest challenges has been designing and building a two-story "building within a building" - especially "identifying the mission's square footage requirements and the optimum layout of those requirements while meeting all historical and safety code requirements."
Ms. Pickle said the majority of the construction "affects the southside interior of the hangar and the flightline lean-to, formerly the base's egress, parachute and life raft maintenance facilities." She said those facilities are all operating out of long-term temporary locations elsewhere on the Randolph flightline until their new facility is renovated in Fiscal 2010-11.
Lt. Col. David Drichta, 435th FTS director of operations, said the age of Hangar 6 - it was built in 1931, shortly after the base's dedication - necessitates strict renovation guidelines.
"Because of its history, the internal structure has to be maintained," he said. "You also have to follow BRAC rules."
Changes over the years have also posed challenges.
"It has been modified many times, with walls within walls," Colonel Drichta said.
Yet another issue is the abatement of hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead-based paint.
Both Colonels Smith and Drichta agree that the new facility will meet the squadron's needs.
"It will make a huge difference," Colonel Drichta said. "It will be much more mission-focused."
Construction contractor for the project is Innovative Technical Solutions Inc.
Colonel Smith said briefing rooms, a study area and a conference room will dominate the second floor. Sound suppression will enhance the training and study environment.
The first floor will feature the operations desk, offices, the main briefing room, the life-support area, a mechanical room, a break/work area, a break/multi-purpose area and storage space.
Ms. Pickle said some of the key features of the facility "include the renovated lean-to, where the operations desk, break room and maintenance crew chief facilities will be located, and the second floor, the heart of student training with its two-ship and four-ship briefing rooms and the student study area, a simulated vault."
She also said the new structure will be 60 percent larger than the squadron's temporary facility and a rearrangement of aircraft parking will give maintenance a continuous flow of like aircraft and place both the IFF and T-1 missions with their aircraft.
Colonel Drichta said the larger structure and better access to aircraft will be definite advantages for the squadron.
"We won't be in trailers and all our planes will be right there," he said. "We will be able to walk right out to our aircraft."
Colonel Smith said the new facility will be a place "to showcase the squadron."