Renovations begin on new 140th Security Forces building

  • Published
  • By Air National Guard Capt. Kinder Blacke
  • 140th Wing Public Affairs
BUCKLEY AFB, Colo. --  Renovations have begun on the 140th Wing's building 700, formerly home to the 120th Fighter Squadron.

Upon completion of the project in approximately 240 days, the building will be claimed by the 140th Security Forces Squadron.

The renovated building will not only provide a much-needed new home for the security forces Airmen, who have been operating out of manufactured buildings for more than three years, it will also include a large auditorium for the Wing's use, which will seat up to 180 occupants.

Chief Master Sgt. Philip Mabie, security forces manager, 140th Security Forces Squadron, admits the Airmen are anxious to move to their new location.

"We have had to give up a lot in the trailer," he explained. "Individuals have been forced to take equipment back and forth between Unit Training Assemblies due to lack of locker storage."

Additionally, their Fire Arms Training Simulator had to be dismantled and has been sitting in storage since they began operating out of the temporary facility.

"This prevented the squadron from being able to give additional instruction to individuals who struggled to get firearms qualifications," Mabie said, "and also took away a great training tool for dealing with active shooters and law enforcement scenarios."

Fortunately, the new facility will provide enough room to set up the simulator, have plenty of storage, as well as provide several other significant benefits.

"With the new building, we will have a separate testing facility, more computer access for training requirements, and we'll have a separate classroom for training -- as opposed to an open area in the middle of the building," Mabie explained. "All this combined will definitely enhance our capabilities, especially on UTAs."

The project, which is being spearheaded by the 140th Civil Engineering Squadron, will obtain LEED (Leadership in energy and environmental design) silver certification, according to the base civil engineer, Lt. Col. William Smith, 140 CES.

"The facility will be completely remodeled," said Smith. "HVAC and electrical wiring is being replaced; the roof is being replaced; day-lighting will be added through rooftop tube-lights; exterior and interior finishes are being updated to improve the look of the building and tie it into the base standard; and a roof-mounted photo-voltaic energy system and energy recovery system are being installed."

"This project was programmed in 2007 and has been in design since 2009," Smith explained, "and funding for the work finally came in the first quarter of the 2013 fiscal year."

If all goes as scheduled, the 140th Security Forces Squadron will say "goodbye" to their trailers and have a new and improved home in less than a year.