Ribbon Cut for New Ops Building: 182d Members and Distinguished Guests Celebrate Dedication

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zachary Morgason
  • 182nd Airlift Wing, Public Affairs
Sep. 25, 2012 --  The new Operations Facility is now open for business, and on Saturday, September 8, 2012, the members of the 182d stood in attendance of the dedication ceremony. This event marked the completion of a project that members of the 182d Operations Group and 169th Airlift Squadron have patiently waited for.

In attendance at the ceremony were a number of men and women responsible for funding, designing and constructing the 27,000 square foot building, including U.S. Congressman Aaron Schock, Illinois Senator Darin LaHood, Illinois Assistant Adjutant General Brigadier General Johnny Miller, as well as Ron Givens and Bernie Cook, the Presidents of JM Industrial Supply and River City Construction, respectively.

The event, too, was so momentous that it warranted the attention of the media, WEEK and WMBD, and the ceremony was later shown on the local news.

Each speaking guest congratulated the personnel on their new facility and also spoke on the efficacy of the 182d. Congressman Aaron Schock said, "The building of this new facility is a proud moment for this community and a proud moment" for each member of the Wing. He went on to say that, "it is recognition of the strategic important of this base" and "a vote of confidence" in what we do on a daily basis.

The facility will be the new home for weapons and tactics, intelligence operations, flight planning, life support and survival equipment, in addition to the base command post, base operations and the transient passenger waiting area.

The projected increase in mission capability rate that will come as a result of this facility's completion is remarkably high, and the building will offer more room for aircrews and provide more efficient support for national security and domestic operations.

The facility was designed under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design to achieve optimum resource efficiency, sustainability and energy conservation, ensuring that the building will be well-used for years to come.