An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

BPC phase II dorm facilities open

  • Published
  • By Capt. Sarah Babcock
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
A linen cutting ceremony for the new Blatchford-Preston Complex II dormitory facility was held here, April 3.

The newly constructed facilities include two buildings equipped with 392 rooms that will house 784 noncommissioned officers who are permanently assigned or on temporary duty at Al Udeid Air Base.

“The main purpose of the new dorms is to help improve quality of life for our service members,” said Col. Caroline Miller, 379th Expeditionary Mission Support Group commander. “The new BPC II dorms incorporated lessons learned from the BPC Phase I dorms and has an improved design; larger rooms, less wasted space and a better overall floor plan.”

The BPC II rooms will be filled with NCOs currently living in the BPC phase one rooms, and the remaining rooms filled by NCOs who are on the BPC waiting list.

“Moving from building to building may be a slight inconvenience but it will be worth it in the long run,” said Chief Master Sgt. Danny Crudup, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief. “Right now, first sergeants are taking requests to pair NCOs up with roommates of their choice, an option they didn’t have before.”

BPC II is the second of a three phase transition from the Coalition Compound complex, which was intended for temporary use, to the more permanent BPC. The benefits of more permanent facilities will have positive impacts on other parts of the mission.

“Transitioning from the CC trailers to permanent facilities is a two-fold victory. First, our Airmen no longer have to reside in extremely dilapidated facilities without central latrine and showers. Additionally, the men and women that maintain AUAB’s infrastructure no longer have to limp along old facilities that are far beyond their useful life,” said Lt. Col. Tiffany Warnke, 379th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. “The new dormitories have centralized and consolidated utilities, specifically air conditioning, that are easier to maintain and repair and save precious manpower and resources. “

The project was completed over five years thanks to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division, Middle East Division and units assigned here.

"The success of the dorm facilities has truly been a team effort of our civil engineer, contracting, and force support squadrons to help improve the quality of life for personnel here," said Brig. Gen. Darren Hartford, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "I look forward to seeing NCOs move in soon and hearing their opinion of the new facilities."

Move-in dates are expected to begin immediately; interested NCOs should contact their unit first sergeants for more details.