USAFE officials invest $240 million in housing Published June 15, 2010 RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) -- The continuing investment in military family housing and dormitories is keeping U.S. Air Forces Europe in line with the Year of the Air Force Family theme of building a great place to live, work and play. During the year, USAFE officials completed the construction or renovation of numerous family housing units and dormitories to improve the quality of life for servicemembers and their families living on base. The YoAFF, from July 2009 to July 2010, is a secretary of the Air Force and chief of staff of the Air Force initiative placing emphasis on meeting the needs of Air Force families during the current high operations tempo. USAFE officials added 560 new family housing units to the inventory and renovated 196 units with an additional 463 units under renovation. There were 412 new housing units built at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, replacing units constructed during the 1950s. This $145 million investment constructed two-, three-, and four-bedroom units with single-car garages. Tech. Sgt. Richard Collins, the 48th Medical Surgical Operations Squadron NCO in charge of ultrasound services and a base housing resident, said he and his family enjoy living in their newly constructed home. The amount of space provided and the many small conveniences built within the house are what they enjoy most, he said. "Our overall satisfaction with the homes in Liberty Village has a lot to do with the small comforts most of us over look while in the states, things like screens, ceiling fans and a garage that can hold a full-size truck," Sergeant Collins said. Likewise, people assigned to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, saw an additional 100 four-bedroom units, while 150 outdated units were demolished--total cost $15.2 million. Another 235 units were renovated for $19.7 million. In addition, a $42.7 million project to renovate 336 units was awarded in November 2009. This project, scheduled to be completed in December 2012, will renovate the interior and exterior of the units bringing them up to current Air Force design standards. In some cases, two-bedroom units will be converted into three- or four-bedroom units. "It is a very elegant, beautiful house," said Master Sgt. Derek Whitaker, a resident of a new Eagle Housing home. "I particularly love the way the air and heat can be controlled individually and centrally. The bathrooms are excellent. The countertops, kitchen drawers and cabinets are top of the line and the sliding-glass doors are a really nice touch. The only downside is the bedrooms are not very big compared to the renovated homes on base. "The house overall is very nice and would hold its own compared to some houses stateside. It has a very relaxing atmosphere; as any home should," he said. Ramstein AB officials added 48 new townhomes to its inventory in April as part of a larger 852-house replacement project spanning multiple years. Also, officials at Spangdahlem AB, Germany, will add 28 renovated units and officials at Lajes Field, Portugal, will award a contract to renovate 124 housing units this month. For unaccompanied members, dormitory improvement projects received an excess of $20 million, funding 30 different projects from new paint and carpet to upgraded bathrooms and brand new dormitories. Officials at RAF Mildenhall, England, completed a $685,000, 78-room project to upgrade bathrooms and replace carpet throughout the dormitory. Spangdahlem AB officials began the $1.56 million renovation of 50 rooms in late May. Ramstein AB officials will complete two projects totaling $2.3 million renovating 512 rooms this month. Ramstein AB officials also has a new 128-person dormitory under construction now. The $14.9 million project is scheduled to be completed by summer 2011. In addition, there are two projects currently in design for new dormitories at Aviano AB, Italy, and at Kapaun Air Station, Germany. The $19 million Aviano AB project will construct a 144-person dorm and the $18.5 million Kapaun AS project will construct a 128-person dorm.