Visiting Capitol Hill to showcase Scott AFB! Published April 22, 2010 By Col. Gary Goldstone 375th Air Mobility Wing Commander SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Today Chief Master Sgt. James Suttles, 375th Air Mobility Wing Command Chief, and I will be on Capitol Hill visiting with Congressional leaders from Illinois districts as part of the Wing Commander Capitol Hill Visit Program. The Air Force Chief of Staff implemented this program in 1998 whereby wing commanders visit Capitol Hill in an effort to build long-term, face-to-face relationships with members of Congress and their staffs and to deliver a consistent Air Force message of priorities and mission requirements. The engagements are meant to provide insight to Congressional members that allow them to make informed legislative decisions on Air force programs, policies, plans and personnel. It helps them understand the roles and missions of our Air Force and the needs of service members and their families. This year two outstanding members of the 375th AMW team are joining us for the visit--1st Lt. Zachary Spotts and Senior Airman Megan Francolini. Lieutenant Spotts is the executive officer for the 375th Mission Support Group and was a member of the Deployment Control Center Team which was recognized for superior performance during the recent Operational Readiness Inspection. Airman Francolini is a mammography technologist with the 375th Medical Operations Squadron and is the wing's 2009 Junior Enlisted Member of the Year. It's a great opportunity for them, and for us, to meet with our senators and representatives. We'll be talking to our congressional leaders about our top three priorities for the installation and showcasing two great Airmen who represent our team in a superb manner. Our No. 1 quality of life priority is construction of a new fitness facility. This was a priority before the new fitness standards hit the street but now more than ever before there is great need for an adequately sized building that can support dedicated space for organizational fitness training. Our current facility, the James Gym, provides only 45 percent of the authorized fitness space according to Air Force facility requirements. The Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment Design Assistance Team recommended construction of a new 43,000 square foot facility to meet the needs of Team Scott. The construction cost is an estimated $13.2 million with the design incorporating more areas for core-training, additional cardio and weight training equipment, as well as dual use courts and space for unit-driven physical fitness activities. As long as we're sending combat-ready Airmen to our combatant commanders, this will remain a priority for Scott AFB! The second priority is the construction of a new gate at Cardinal Creek. This would be a new commercial and private vehicle access gate that would improve entry protection and security measures and support the development of a proposed new I-64 interchange with the local community and Mid-America airport. Though the cost would be an estimated $10 million, the benefits would be immeasurable for not only the base but the Greater Scott Community. We look forward to working with the community for mutual progress, mission enhancement, and installation growth. Our third priority, and largest construction bill at $47 million, is a combined communications group complex. Our communications facilities are reaching capacity. Our buildings were designed for fewer people and a smaller mission footprint. We must take action now to ensure we have a stable, capable infrastructure to support our current and future mission requirements. The Air Force works to provide redundant capabilities so it never loses the ability to respond to our nation's call. A new communications facility would meet those capabilities and provide a more integrated and streamlined approach to operations. We have many other important projects happening around the base, but these are the focus areas for future budgeting requirements that are necessary for sustained and continued mission accomplishment. As Congress portions out the budget each year, tough and thoughtful decisions are made by Department of Defense leaders that allow the Air Force to carry out its mission to fly, fight and win ... in air, space and cyberspace. We need to be operational in today's environment as well as be prepared for the challenges of the future. We expect to have a positive visit with our elected leaders and are excited to share the great accomplishments and missions of Scott AFB! Air Power!