Groundbreaking ceremony marks milestone for new 14th MSG

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jeffrey Weger
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The groundbreaking and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new 14th Mission Support Group complex was held Wednesday. 

The ceremony marked the culmination of the first phase of construction, which began in April 2007 and the beginning of phase two. The project has been a partnership between the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

In attendance were many local elected officials and dignitaries including Col. Roger Watkins, 14th Flying Training Wing commander and United States Senator Roger Wicker. 

The ceremony has been over two years in the making. When finished, the latest addition to Columbus AFB will be a state of the art, environmentally-friendly facility built for conservation and efficiency. The building is Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED certifiable, making use of natural light, automatic light sensors and low-flow water fixtures. 

Phase two of the building is scheduled to be completed in February 2010, providing an additional 18,000 square feet of office space. The completion of phase one provides over 35,000 square feet to the 14th MSG. The finished facility will occupy 53,200 square feet.
The new complex will move all customer service functions to one space, reducing the base's building footprint and meeting the Air Force mandate to reduce space and cost. The architecture of the building is also part of the 2030 plan to reflect some of the southern themes common in the area. 

Columbus AFB's newest building shows the commitment of the Air Force towards energy saving and cost reduction initiatives.