375th AES will get new building Published Nov. 10, 2010 By Senior Airman Andrew Davis 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- A groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 2 at Bldg. 505 marked the start of a new 21,500 - square - foot aeromedical evacuation complex at Scott Air Force Base. The ceremony was presided over by the Honorable Jerry Costello, Illinois Congressman, Col. Kevin Webb, 375th Air Mobility Wing vice commander and Col. William Tyra, 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron commander. Congressman Costello worked to secure the funding of the new facility in the 2010 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill. "The hard-working men and women of Scott provide critical services to our troops, and their efforts deserve the support of first-class facilities such as the new aeromedical evacuation building," said Congressman Costello. "I will continue to do everything I can to assist the base, as its future is crucial to both our nation's defense and our regional economy." The facility's contract was awarded May 10 for $6.4 million to Charpie-Korte Joint Venture. The new building will include spaces for new offices, training, and equipment storage. "This new facility will help support 164 Airmen," said Maj. George Zaldivar, 375th AES Medical Logistics Officer in Charge. "The 375th AES is a critical hub for the transportation of our sick and injured troops and this will greatly expand the capabilities of the squadron." For more than 70 years Bldg. 505 has been used for numerous functions. "Built in 1939 at a cost of $6,500 it was used as a temporary barracks to house a growing student population," said Major Zaldivar. "Over the years, the building was subject to expansions and upgrades to increase space for the command post, an auditorium and to accommodate aircrew training." In the past year, the 375th AES has transported over 8,500 injured, sick and ill warriors on aeromedical evacuation missions back to their duty locations or medical facilities where definitive medical treatment and rehabilitation could be acquired.