14th MSG Complex breaks ground

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Danielle Powell
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Although it may look like the ground has already been broken for the new 14th Mission Support Group Complex, the official ceremony took place Tuesday.
The $8.75 million project began in March and is scheduled to be completed in August 2008.
The 28,090 square foot complex will consolidate several of the mission support group elements into one facility, joining together the 14th Mission Support Group Command Staff, the Services Division and the Logistics Readiness Division. This facility will be the first built in the Columbus AFB "Showplace of the South" theme. However, this is only the first phase of the project.
The second phase of the project would bring the 14th Mission Support Squadron, 14th Contracting Squadron and 14th Comptroller Squadron under one roof. However, funding for this phase of the project is currently being decided.
Mississippi Congressman Roger Wicker was on hand for the groundbreaking. He joined Col. Dave Gerber, 14th Flying Training Wing commander, the Honorable Robert Smith, Mayor of the city of Columbus, Col. Mark Brown, 14th Mission Support Group commander, and Steve Arendale, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers for the ceremonial ground breaking. Each scooped a load of dirt with their golden shovels to commemorate the event.
The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers was began management and design of the project in 2006, winning the Air Education and Training Command's Concept Design of the Year.