Renovation of consolidated facility saves $13 million

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  A newly renovated, $6.7 million facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, which is now home to the Gunfighter Service Center, 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 the Air Force 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 Engineer Squadron worked together to design this fantastic building," said 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 the base."

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 two years to design, included new parking, road access and landscaping. Mountain Home was awarded $6.7 million for the project and the groundbreaking took place in January 2010.

The magnitude of the plan's reconstruction -- replacing the entire roof structure and updating all facility infrastructures -- required the majority of the interior to be rebuilt.

"This state-of-the-art facility will allow FSS to better serve our customers," said Dave Hymer, 366th FSS deputy commander. "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."