The way ahead: New projects ready base for future

Published April 12, 2012
By Senior Airman Michael Charles
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- New dorms with improved living spaces in two areas of the base highlight construction efforts underway, said base officials.

A major project underway is two new dormitory buildings in the Blatchford-Preston complex. Tentatively scheduled for completion in spring of 2013, each dormitory will be modernized into 44 quad-room suites and 20 double-room suites per dorm.

Each suite will feature improvements from other dorms, said Capt. Michael Frymier, 379th programs flight commander.

"We've listened and learned," said Frymier. "Each dorm has improvements in the balance of personal space and storage areas."

The two new dorms will hold 196 people each and, upon completion, will help replace the Coalition Compound trailers as the non-transitory dorms for all service members stationed on the installation.

A separate construction project--new dorms located between the CC and BPC--is being planned, which will result in the construction of 20 new two-story billeting facilities.

The new project is part of a CC billeting refresh and will add a total of 2,560 bed spaces. One major highlight is latrines and showers inside each facility, as opposed to separate latrine facilities, known as a "cadillac," said Capt. Michael Frymier, 379th programs flight commander.

"The days of grabbing your shower shoes and making a 2 a.m. trek outside to the Cadillac will soon be over," said Frymier. "Those living in the new CC dorms will have showers and bathrooms right in the building."

The $52 million refresh of the Coalition Compound is scheduled to be complete in the summer of 2014, said Frymier.

Once the new dormitories are opened, the old CC trailers will replace the tents as lodging for service members in transit to other locations throughout Southwest Asia.

The significant improvements are instrumental in the ability to accommodate more service members at an improved quality of living, said Lt. Col. Chris Fuller, commander of the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron.

"This base has come a long way since we started operations here," said Fuller. "These projects will result in an improved quality of living for all as we continue our move from expeditionary to enduring."