Renovation of newly reopened base facility saves $13 million

Published Aug. 24, 2011
By Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- The newly renovated, $6.7 million facility, which is now home to the Gunfighter Service Center here officially opened for business with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 24.

The base decided to renovate the existing site versus rebuilding the facility, which saved more than $13 million. The repair and reconstruction project took more than two years to complete.

The GSC allowed for the consolidation of the base library, post office, arts and crafts center and information tickets and travel. The facility also features a community center and a skills development center.

"I am so proud of the way the 366th Force Support Squadron and Civil Engineering Squadron worked together to design this fantastic building," stated Col. Scott Moser, 366th Mission Support Group commander. "This is the largest project ever managed by CES and will meet the needs of all Gunfighters assigned to MHAFB. But special thanks go out to Les Mitchell, 366th CES project manager and Cindy Dixon, 366th Contracting Squadron, because without their hard work this amazing project would never have happened."

The 366th FSS marketing office, readiness services and warehouse, financial accounting offices, headquarters and leadership's offices, and the computer service center are all now located in the new building.

CE worked with FSS to gain funding for needed repairs and remodeling. The ground plan, which took 2 years to design, included new parking, road access and landscaping. MHAFB was awarded $6.7 million for the project and the groundbreaking took place in January 2010.

The magnitude of the plan's reconstruction by replacing the entire roof structure and updating all facility infrastructures required the majority of the interior to be reconstructed when the existing roof was replaced.

"The fact that the post office is centrally located is one of the best parts of this new facility," explained Dave Hymer, 366th FSS deputy commander. "People will have to walk past the custom framing shop, ballroom, information and travel offices as well as the human resources office. A lot of spouses don't realize how great of an opportunity it is to have an HRO, which will allow them to not only get a job, but also transfer that job without losing their earned tenure when they PCS."

"This state of the art facility will allow FSS to better serve our customers," continued Hymer. "Being centrally located will also enable greater cross marketing of numerous FSS programs. As well as having so many programs centrally located with leadership provides greater management oversight."

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Renovation of newly reopened base facility saves $13 million

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