Air Force Priority: Develop and Care for Airmen and Families

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Katherine Holt
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  For MacDill, 2010 brought major changes and upgrades to the base and to the quality of life of the men and women who work and live here.

Upgrades came in changes to living quarters and working areas. Officers moved into their new quarters in January and the renovation of dorm building 375 was completed in December.

Clark Reality Group, which built the new officer quarters, was recognized by "The Builder Magazine" with the 2010 Builder's Choice Award as the Single Family Community of the year for 2010. Its efforts exhibit one of the Air Force's priorities: develop and care for Airmen and families.

"We are very happy to be recognized for the new development at MacDill," said Justin Troqbridge, associate with Clark Reality Group. "There is a great partnership between the Air Force and Clark Reality Group and we are happy with our product."

Construction for the enlisted quarters began in October, and Clark Reality Group is looking to deliver houses by the summer of 2011.

Unaccompanied Airmen got an upgrade in January with the completion of the Theater Room in building 377. In February, the Force Support Squadron cut the ribbon on a new car wash facility behind the shoppette.

Base residents weren't the only personnel taking advantage of MacDill's upgrades this year; many agencies around base were moved into new buildings. In April, the 927th Air Refueling Wing cut the ribbon on its two-story, 30,000-square-foot headquarters building, ushering in a new era with the first permanent wing structure here.

There was a ribbon cutting for the 6th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight's new building in June. In November the Aeromedical Staging Squadron Training Facility was opened.

Some agencies upgraded services. One of six installations across the Air Force selected for the change, the Force Support Squadron upgraded the way it serves customers, with the Food Transformation Initiative. Aramark took over the Dining Facility, the Officer's Club and the Enlisted Club on Dec. 1.

"FTI not only transforms food service operations to more efficiently meet the needs and preferences of our Airmen, but it also restores a sense of Air Force community by expanding access of these dining facilities to civilians, families and retirees," said Col. Sandra Adams, the AFSVA commander. "We are confident this ground-breaking initiative will enhance food operations at these installations."

MacDill AFB has shown through its continuous efforts that the development and care for the servicemembers, families and civilian employees is not only the Air Force's priority but the base's priority as well.