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577th Prime BEEF builds Army new TOC

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Hannah Landeros
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar --  As units throughout the U.S. Air Forces Central Command's area of responsibility need new facilities, the 577th Expeditionary Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force Squadron, or Prime BEEF, provides plans, designs, and construction capabilities for all branches of service.

The 577th Prime BEEF Squadron's core mission sets are troop construction, life, health and safety assessments, repair, master planning, programming, design, surveying, and contract construction management.

Recently the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade was relocated and the 577th EPBS was tasked to construct a Tactical Operation Center for the brigade.

"We are creating more workspace and providing more efficient capabilities for the 31st ADA Brigade," said Staff Sgt. Matthew Halvorson, a 577th Prime BEEF structural craftsman deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., and a Prior Lake, Minn., native.

Prime BEEF has made improvements to the TOC which include adding three additional battle stations, three levels of tiered flooring and a video wall so Soldiers have a clear audio and visual common operating picture throughout the CENTCOM AOR.

"It's important that we build this facility to keep missions going for our sister service," Airman 1st Class Justin Long a 577th EPBS electrical systems journeyman deployed from Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., and a Tuscaloosa, Ala., native. "The TOC will not only benefit the Army but other branches of the military as well."

With the new capabilities the 31st ADA Brigade will provide coverage for nearly 1,800 Soldiers in the brigade along with all military personnel in the CENTCOM AOR spanning over five nations in the Arabian Gulf region.

From electrical, structures, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and engineering shops everyone in Prime BEEF brings something different to the table, which is important when building a new facility from the ground up, explained Long.

Prime BEEF can construct an efficient and operational facility in a timely manner saving the Air Force and Army money, Halvorson said.

"It's a great experience working with the Army on this project," said Halvorson. "We are able to see first hand how they operate and how our services benefit more than just the Air Force."