LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
A ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 23 marked the official opening of the 37th Communication Squadron's new home.
The final move-ins take place next week in the new $13.9 million structure that now offices 228 people in a state-of-the-art facility.
Building 1052, located behind the 37th Mission Support Group headquarters on Kenly Avenue, has 25,295 square feet of energy-efficient office space. In addition to the latest technology, the building also meets anti-terrorism force protection requirements and moves almost all of the communication squadron off Kelly USA.
"We're really excited about it; it enhances our mission," said Lt. Col. Lisa Hummler, 37th CS commander. "Due to the efforts of many in the 37th Mission Support Group, we have a communications facility we can all take pride in."
The sleek facility will be the new home for 120 members of the communication squadron moving from Kelly, and 108 more communicators from four other buildings around Lackland.
The squadron helped in the 2001 closure of Kelly AFB but stayed on Kelly USA until the new facility could be completed. The building houses personnel from many communication disciplines such as network controllers, telephone switch technicians, client support administrators, forms and publications experts, communication planners, airfield systems technicians, information assurance and computer security managers, and server administrators.
The building includes redundant power, ample space and air conditioning for Lackland's network control center and functional system server farm.
"We have two state-of-the-art generators that will run this facility for 67 hours in the event of a disaster without re-fueling," said project manager John Collums. "They start up within five seconds and are supplying power to servers immediately so base network and telephone services can stay operational."
Construction began in October 2007, and the project was completed on time. "SpawGlass (the general contractor) worked six and seven days a week the last three months to come in on schedule," said Mr. Collums. "They really put in a Herculean effort."
Gary Watts, 37th CS deputy director, said first discussions about the building started in 1995. It was originally planned to be a two-story, 50,000 square foot building housing 350 people but budget cuts and downsizing reduced the original plans.
"When we went into design concept years ago, we walked into the room and were immediately tasked to take $2 million right off the top," Mr. Watts said. "That's when our building went from two stories to one and from 50,000 square feet to 32,000."
In remarks at the ribbon cutting, Brig. Gen. Len Patrick, 37th Training Wing commander, said "this bringing together of squadron personnel, along with combining squadron functions under one roof, will allow the communications squadron to more efficiently and effectively provide communications support to all of Team Lackland."
General Patrick also cited 37th MSG civil engineers, the Army Corp of Engineers, the Air Force Center for Engineering and Environmental Excellence and SpawGlass.