LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- On June 3, 2025, Mission Support Group Commanders from the 944th and 56th Fighter Wings officially cut the ribbon on a new, state-of-the-art Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) mezzanine during a ceremony marking a major step forward in total force readiness and integration.
The nearly $1 million project was brought to life through dedicated collaboration between reserve and active-duty civil engineer teams here at Luke AFB and Air Force Reserve Command Headquarters.
“From the moment I visited the original structure, it was clear our Airmen needed a safer and more capable storage space to store their warfighting equipment, to enable them to do their mission,” said Col. Reginald Trujillo, 944th MSG commander. “This facility upgrade is a symbol of what’s possible when we invest in our people and work together across components.”
The new EOD space will support the storage of millions of dollars in deployable equipment, much of it recently returned from United States Central Command and U.S. Africa Command, which enhances EOD's ability to train and prepare for deployment downrange.
While the storage mezzanine represents a significant infrastructure upgrade, its success was made possible by unwavering advocacy. Among those instrumental in driving the project forward was Mr. Chuck Tehan, 944th MSG engineering technician, who regularly monitored construction progress and coordinated with all stakeholders to ensure mission needs were met.
“This man would come daily, in his hard hat and vest, to check on the status of this,” said Chief Master Sgt. Carlos Sanchez, 56th EOD senior enlisted leader. “He made sure this thing came out well, and it’s a direct result of his commitment and persistence.”
Sanchez also emphasized the importance of the unified approach that brought the project to completion.
Col. Peter Abercrombie, 56th Mission Support Group commander, echoed that sentiment, highlighting the broader implications of collaboration.
“This project is a great example of what can happen when teams come together across the Total Force,” Abercrombie said. “It’s not just about a building—it’s about building trust, capability, and future mission success.”
Building on that idea, Sanchez reinforced how essential that integrated approach was at every stage of the project.
“This facility improvement doesn’t happen without Total Force Integration,” Sanchez said. “Active-duty, Reserve, and civilians all had a hand in this, and it’s proof that we should always be operating this way—together, with a shared mission focus.”
The building now stands as a testament to joint-force effectiveness, with shared-use storage space designed to support long-term collaboration between 944th and 56th EOD personnel. The ceremony also paid tribute to the legacy of 20 Air Force EOD warriors lost in the line of duty since the start of the global war on terrorism.
“This is just the beginning,” Trujillo said. “It’s about building smarter, safer, and more capable facilities that honor our mission and our people.”