Reserve unit breaks ground on new facility

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Susan Stout
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Congressman Trent Franks, 2nd District Arizona, joined the 944th Fighter Wing as they broke ground on the new 944th Civil Engineer Squadron building May 30. 

Congressman Franks was instrumental in getting the new building constructed at Luke. His congressional insert helped the $6 million project get underway. The building, which is located in the 56th Fighter Wing transportation yard, is scheduled to be complete in April 2008. 

The 20,188 square foot, two-story building will be the first LEED-certifiable building constructed at Luke. 

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council. 

"The LEED Green Building Rating System provides the design and performance systems needed for an immediate, measurable impact on key concerns like conserving energy, minimizing waste, changing global climate, and maintaining occupant health," said Brent Ciboch, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron architect and project manager for the new building. "LEED-certifiable buildings have shown to increase productivity, improve health, conserve the Earth's resources, and cost less to operate and maintain." 

Speaking on behalf of the 944th Civil Engineer Squadron, Col. Sharon Sounhein thanked the congressman for his leadership and commitment to Luke and the Reserve by supporting the construction of the facility. 

"This new building will house 128 reservists and allow them the space necessary to maintain training, equipment storage, and home station operations," said Colonel Sounhein, 944th Mission Support Group commander. "The 944th CES has been conducting missions for more than 18 years here at Luke and they have been effective despite some pretty austere conditions." 

The 944th Civil Engineer Squadron performs a diversified mission: providing combat engagement, emergency first response, and contingency engineering maintenance and support. 

The squadron has 14 explosive ordnance disposal technicians; 28 firefighters/paramedics; six chemical, nuclear and biological emergency management personnel; and 80 engineering skilled professionals and technicians including engineers, carpenters, plumbers, pest management technicians, and heavy equipment operators. 

"We are extremely excited about the potential uses of this facility for efficient and effective training to prepare us for the missions of tomorrow," Colonel Sounhein said. "We are certain that this new facility will vastly improve the recruitment and retention of quality personnel."