Military construction moving forward at Minot

Published Feb. 8, 2011
By Capt. Genieve David
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- During the January Minot Military Affairs Committee luncheon, more than 50 Air Force Global Strike Command and Team Minot Airmen, along with members of the local City of Minot community gathered to hear about the military construction program here.

Lt. Col. Matthew Jefson, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, provided a brief on a variety of construction projects that are currently underway or programmed for the base's future.

Since 2007, Minot has received more than $161 million for accompanied housing construction. By the end of 2011, the 5th CES projects 1,606 of 1,746 housing units will have been renovated or replaced through the MILCON program.

"Here in the not too distant future we will be going through privatization," said Colonel Jefson. "Developers are looking to privatize housing at Minot Air Force Base and other northern tier bases."

Minot AFB has been grouped with Grand Forks AFB, N.D., Cavalier AFB, N.D., Ellsworth AFB, S.D., Mountain Home AFB, Idaho and Cannon AFB, N.M. to form the northern group. Privatization of on-base housing is scheduled to be completed by spring 2012 with a one year transition period to follow.

Besides family housing, two new dormitories for unaccompanied Airmen are also currently under construction with an additional three new dormitory buildings on the horizon.

"As the new facilities are constructed, we will begin the tear down of the old structures," Colonel Jefson added.

Demolition of the existing dorms will provide land for the construction of the future dorms as the base works toward the concept of a dormitory campus with walkways and park-like spaces for outdoor activities.

In fiscal year 2011, 168 dorm rooms, with a projected cost of $22.9 million, are scheduled for completion. The dorm is set to be in a suite configuration providing single occupancy bedrooms with private baths, as well as shared common areas to include a kitchenette, living room and washer and dryer for every four rooms.

On the west side of base, construction on the 91st Missile Wing's Missile Procedures Training Complex continues. The 25,000 square foot complex will co-locate training and evaluation functions, consolidate the operations group training, evaluation and logistics and will provide a one-stop shop for rations, supplies and warehouse support. The programmed amount for the project is $10 million.

Other military construction projects that are in planning stages include an air traffic control tower with an airfield operations facility, a transportation complex, an indoor firing range, a two-bay phase dock for B-52 Stratofortresses, a three-bay conventional munitions maintenance facility and a series of projects to repair the runway.