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Millennium Village Transition Team looks to the future

  • Published
  • By Capt. Teresa Sullivan
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing's Millennium Village Transition Team is working toward their objective of moving as many people as soon as possible into to the state-of-the-art complex here, establishing a more permanent presence at the wing. 

The MVTT includes five Airmen from a variety of backgrounds charged with getting the facility up and running. 

"Our goal is to assist in the transformation from an expeditionary base to an enduring base using a well-thought-out approach assuring MV is structurally sound and meets Air Force quality of life standards," said Lt. Col. Donald Reese, 379th Expeditionary Mission Support Group deputy chief and MVTT chief. 

Millennium Village, which is built to support about1,500 people, is slated to be in the "initial operational capability" phase by January 2008 and by the end of 2008 MV should be in "fully operational capability." 

"In the 'initial operational capability' phase, 20 percent of the base populace will reside in MV. By the 'fully operational capability' phase, the quality-of-life services will be substantially increased. During IOC, the focus is on functionality for equipment and systems. During FOC, sunshades, various landscaping projects and cosmetic, contractual or warranty items will be completed," said Colonel Reese. 

The concept to create a Millennium Village Transition Team began in February when wing leadership realized a dedicated team would be required to plan the activation of Millennium Village. 

"Having a dedicated team assigned to this project allows us to focus our efforts on getting the job done in a professional and timely manner," said Colonel Martin. "This is a large undertaking so the team has a challenge ahead of them, but in the end it will be our Airmen who benefit." 

The team has their work cut out for them as they strive daily toward several short and long-term goals. Some challenges the team faces include plumbing, power production, duct bank and utility connections. Despite the challenges the team keeps their eye on the end-state. 

Once complete, Millennium Village will feature a mall, base exchange, recreation room with two golf simulators, food court, chapel, post office, dining facility, learning resource center, clinic, fire house, fitness center, dorms, a kennel and two search pits. 

"The MVTT is continuously looking for ways to better support the units that are directly responsible for providing the resources and services needed to open MV, as well as those units that will provide the day-to-day operational support upon its opening," said team's leader. "The support from organizations on base is going well and is steadily improving as we continue to collaborate on a weekly basis and in some cases daily. 

Other members of the MVTT include Maj. Muhammad Khan, a communications expert; Capt. Charlie Marek, the team's medical expert; Capt. Jamie Johnson, services expert and Capt. Michelle Sterling the team's civil engineering expert.