JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The 113th Wing Air Sovereignty Alert Force, District of Columbia Air National Guard, moved to its new facility here Dec. 9.
"The new facility offers many benefits - the living quarters are in closer proximity to our aircraft, which enables quicker response times," said Lt. Col. Paul R. Quirion, 113 WG ASA commander. "The aircraft are also closer to the runways, which reduces taxi times during events. Most importantly, ASA personnel are in closer proximity to each other, which increases teamwork and cohesiveness."
The ASA mission has been operating out of temporary aircraft shelters and two trailers for maintainors and pilots for more than eight years - since just after Sept. 11.
"These temporary facilities were never intended to support ASA for this duration," said Colonel Quirion. "The new location is a state-of-the-art facility which integrates Alert aircraft, an ASA Operations Center (command post), and work and rest areas for ASA maintainors and pilots."
"I miss the 'homey' aspect of the mobile homes," said Lt. Col. Pierre B. Oury, 113th Operations Support Flight commander. "The new facility is more office-like, but with nicer amenities. Before, we spent more time outside going to and from aircraft. Now, we don't have to go outside at all since the jets are parked in an 'attached garage.'"
Colonel Quirion noted some differences from the old and new facility. "The differences are about what you would expect going from a double-wide trailer to a brand-new house. We are working through some issues in the new facility, but it is a big improvement for our Capital Guardian alert maintainors, controllers and pilots. The work space and computer set-up provide more room and up-to-date equipment. The ASA Operations Center is located in the middle of the facility and offers advanced classified communications capabilities."
"During planning and construction, members throughout the 113 WG collaborated with the Navy, National Guard Bureau, Air Force District of Washington, and the base host and building owner, the 316th Wing, in order to achieve project success," said Colonel Quirion. "We also overcame substantial hurdles caused by insufficient funding of the original construction project. At the many crisis points that threatened to stop the project, the 316 WG, AFDW, NGB and Navy team came together, and, through sheer determination, found ways to get things done to keep facility progress on track."
"ASA personnel have learned the processes of Joint Base Andrews functional areas, such as civil engineering and communications," said Lt. Col. Robert D. Bowie, 113th Mission Support Group deputy commander. "Initially, this 'forced integration' contributed to challenges, but in the end all parties worked hard to make the move a success!"
"Looking back at this project, which has spanned several years, many people put in a lot of time and effort in order to make the new Alert facility which we have today a reality," said Colonel Quirion. "As a result, our nation's capital is better protected today than it was before, thanks to the team's outstanding accomplishment."