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Extreme Makeover: Barksdale Edition

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman La'Shanette V. Garrett
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  With Air Force Global Strike Command and total force integration, with the 2d Bomb Wing and 917th, comes several renovation and construction projects on Barksdale.

More than 50 percent of Barksdale facilities are on the National Historic Register. While these facilities have a great deal of character, they also require significant effort and resources to maintain and modernize.

"Due to the fact that we are such an antique base, a lot of the buildings will be renovated instead of torn down," said Eric Tillstrom, 2d Civil Engineering squadron chief of programs flight. "But, there will be some buildings that will actually be demolished."

Modular trailers have been set-up temporarily across from the Red River Dining Facility for the 2d Force Support and Comptroller Squadrons until the new mission support group complex building is finished.

The new MSG complex will consolidate functions of base contracting, FSS front office, comptroller service, retiree affairs and military personnel flight customer service.

"Instead of having everyone all scattered out, we wanted to get all the people function organizations in one place," said Mr. Tillstrom. "That way when retirees and dependents come on base they can handle all their business in a one-stop shop."

Within the last three months there have been 42 projects completed with 132 still under construction and more to come.

Current projects include: an 8th Air Force annex, weather squadron, 49th Test Squadron, 96th Bomb Squadron, 20th Bomb Squadron, security forces complex, new baseball fields, new lighting at the north gate, a new facility for the military working dogs and the opening of a new gate on the East Reservation-all totaling approximately $69.5 million.

"While we will do everything in our power to ensure the contractors are timely, efficient and professional, the footprint of main base is so compressed that the number of ongoing construction contracts create parking constraints, construction noise and untidy appearance," said Lt. Col David B. Chisenhall Jr, 2d Civil Engineering Squadron commander. "This is a small price to pay as we make the installation better for those Airmen who will follow in our footsteps."

All buildings will be equipped with a new energy efficient system--also known as green building. All buildings will have energy monitoring and control systems which will monitor the air conditioners and heating systems allowing temperatures to be set within a certain degree to save energy.

"As we continue to strengthen the nuclear enterprise, make AFGSC a model major command, and elevate Barksdale to new heights, we must provide our Airmen with the facilities and environment in which they can be fully productive and proud to serve," said Colonel Chisenhall.