Third Army, 20th Fighter Wing help Shaw transition

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Beth Lake
  • Third Army Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  "Our new facility will improve the way Third Army does business," Lt. Gen. William G. Webster, Third Army and U.S. Army, Central, commanding general said. "We are thankful to the local community, the 20th Fighter Wing, the state, and the many contract engineers who have worked closely with Third Army to bring this complex move to fruition."

In 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure committee mandated that Fort McPherson, Ga. close, and the Third Army headquarters move to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.

That means approximately 1,400 new military and civilians in the workforce, many with their families, will be entering Shaw's gates, shopping at the base exchange, using the gym, taking their children to the child development center and using other facilities when the command completes its move later this summer.

When the BRAC decision was announced, Third Army immediately began to work with the Air Force to ensure the BRAC timeline would be met, explained Lt. Col. Malcolm Earles, Third Army and ARCENT deputy chief of staff for strategic relocation.

"There were a lot of meetings and right off the bat we needed to determine what resources and buildings were needed in order for Third Army to conduct their mission here," said Col. Charlie Moore, 20th Fighter Wing commander. "We had to make sure we had all of the infrastructure, different facilities, and people to help take care of Third Army personnel and their families."

Colonel Moore explained that this meant they had to look at what Shaw currently had, and what it would need, in order to accommodate the new personnel.

Many new construction projects are currently underway to get the base ready for Third Army's arrival.

"Things are coming along great," Colonel Moore said. "The Third Army building is on schedule. It's a beautiful facility. All other construction projects we have going on here are on schedule, to include the addition to our child development center and additional manning in our medical clinic and medical services."

The new child development center annex opened in June 2010 and accommodates 96 children, including 14 from Third Army's advanced party's families.

Additions to Shaw scheduled to be completed in 2011:
  • Base exchange - A $11.6 million Army and Air Force Exchange Service shopping center is scheduled to be outwardly completed in May and eventually will include a satellite pharmacy, concessions and a food court.
  • Fitness center - A $6.6 million addition to the current fitness center is scheduled to be completed in May and a $5.6 million fitness annex currently under construction next to Third Army's new headquarters building is projected for completion in June.
  • Dormitory - A new dormitory that can house 144 airmen and Soldiers is scheduled to be completed in November.
With the increase in personnel and family members, it was also important to ensure there would be a smooth flow of traffic around the base.

Colonel Moore explained that the base will modify its entrances to have three main gates, one of which will be near Third Army's new headquarters

"As we see this increase of 1,400 people who could potentially be coming on to base each day, in addition to what we have now, the new gates will help relieve the congestion," he said. "The local community has been great with helping us to work on the efforts to help us connect that to the main highway 378, whether it be with new lights, turn lanes, grading out the roadway, etc."

Third Army's move to Shaw will bring a $120 million increase in Shaw's contribution to the local economy, as well as bring two major commands to the same location.

"One of the big benefits to having them here is you have (U.S. Air Force Central and U.S. Army Central) at the same facility working side by side and I think there is a synergistic effect that is going to be tremendous for our war-fighting capabilities," Colonel Moore added.