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New Security Forces headquarters opens

  • Published
  • By 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
  • 375th AMW
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  A ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday at Bldg. 755 marked the official opening of the new 35,000-square-foot Base Defense Operations Center.

The ceremony was presided over by Col. Gary Goldstone, 375th Air Mobility Wing commander, Lt. Col. Aeneas Gooding, 375th Security Forces Squadron commander, and Col. Peter Nezamis, 126th Air Refueling Wing commander.

Active duty and Air National Guard Airmen will work together in the building on a daily basis.

"This new state of the art facility will allow us to fully execute and synergize our joint operations mission here," said Colonel Gooding. "It will provide a better work environment for both wings and allow further integration between the joint partners by working in close proximity."

"This new facility would not have been possible without the direct support of U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello," said Colonel Goldstone. Senator Durbin and Representative Costello are key mission enablers."

Once the building's shell was up, the squadrons had approximately three weeks to move in.

"It was a rush, but we did it," said Denny Frank, 375th SFS physical security and facility manager. "Not only did we have to bring equipment over to the building, but it had to be wired for LAN access.

"The communication squadron did a wonderful job hooking everything up in less than a week and a half. Not only did they have to run our lines, but they ran the National Guard's lines as well," he added.

The $13 million project consolidated security forces personnel from all over base into one building.

"In the past, 375th and 126th personnel were spread all over the base," said Mr. Frank. "But the new building will consolidate six separate buildings into one, allowing us to work closer to one another."

The extra 23,000 square feet of space isn't the only upgrade, parking also has been expanded.

"If you remember, the old building had about six actual spots out front," said Mr. Frank. "The new facility has almost 300 much-needed parking spaces."

The new facility was not only built with joint operations in mind, but also the Airmen of the 375th SFS.

"The facility features showers, additional computers, a break room and 597 lockers," said Mr. Frank. "The lockers are a really big thing for the Airmen. Traditionally they would have to haul their A-bags to and from the building, but now they have a safe and secure place to store their gear."

With the move still fresh, squadron members are feeling out their new work centers and spirits have already increased, according to Colonel Gooding.

"There has definitely been an upsurge in morale among the Airmen since the move, it makes them feel more confident and productive on the job," he said.