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Security Forces gets new home

  • Published
  • By Monte Miller
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill --  With the scoop of a few shovels, ground was broken Friday on the new home of the 375th Airlift Wing Security Forces Squadron headquarters.

The contract for the new $12,138,000 Security Forces Operation Complex was awarded to Scott Alliance Joint Venture, Inc. and will nearly triple the amount of operating space security forces currently occupies. U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello, who attended the event, secured the money for the construction.

"As a representative, I do my best to bring the taxpayers money back to the area," Congressman Costello said. "This project will not only create jobs, but will also improve the quality of life and efficiency of the security forces here. I enjoy groundbreakings like this and I look forward to coming back and cutting the ribbon when it is complete.

"Defense Secretary Gates said it, and I repeat it often, Scott Air Force Base is one of the most import bases in the entire Air Force," he said.

The Current Security Forces Building (Building 1970), built in 1953, is roughly 13,000 square feet with a current occupancy of 40 on duty personnel Monday through Friday. The personnel occupancy for the new facility will be approximately 73, which includes personnel from the 126th Air Refueling Wing.

Col. Pete Nezamis, 126th Air Refueling Wing commander spoke briefly regarding the historic nature of the joint use facility.

"This is the first joint venture between the Air Force and the 126th," Colonel Nezamis said. "Both of our wings (375th AW, 126th ARW) had ideas and we put them on the table. This is the start of many things to come for the 126th."

As part of the project, the 126th ARW will also receive a 2,400 square foot addition to their Air National Guard warehouse (Building 5046).

The construction of the new complex will not only allow more personnel to be on duty, it will also consolidate many of the security forces resources that are currently spread all over Scott Air Force Base.

"We are really excited to get this project done on time and on budget," said Maj. Robert Rossi, 375th Security Forces Squadron commander. "You have all of these ideas, but it takes funding to get those ideas into brick and mortar. This is the blending of three things, forces, facilities and functions. We're bringing it all together in one place."

Those offices include SF Operations, SF training, quality control, investigation, and the 126th ARW SFS. The building will also have a conference room, a training room and two armories.

After construction is complete, and the headquarters is moved to the new location, building 1970 will be demolished and turned into a parking lot.