502nd ABW breaks ground on new headquarters

  • Published
  • By Steve Elliott
  • Fort Sam Houston Public Affairs
FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (AFNS) --  The 502nd ABW got a little closer to establishing itself July 14 here as Brig. Gen. Leonard Patrick, the 502nd ABW commander, was joined by various local and military officials in breaking ground for the wing's new headquarters.

The 25,733-square-foot building will cost approximately $7.4 million and have a 5.5-acre footprint. Officials are anticipating occupancy in July 2011.

"This is truly an opportunity for us to move forward," General Patrick said. "Part of the wing's vision statement is to 'Preserve our Heritage.' I promised I would honor that."

The 502nd ABW consists of three major Air Force support elements: the 802nd Mission Support Group at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, the 902nd MSG at Randolph AFB, Texas, and  Fort Sam Houston Garrison was renamed the 502nd MSG.

The new building is being built to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver certification, said H.D. Eisenhauer, the chief of engineering for the 502nd ABW.

"The project team is incorporating a variety of sustainable design elements including extensive use of local (and) regional certified wood, and recycled building materials," he said. "The facility also incorporates sustainable landscape measures, advanced building commissioning, a rainwater harvesting system for irrigation (and) a solar water heating system."

The Air Force was directed to be the executive agent for the action in San Antonio and this is the largest single Department of Defense installation. One of 12 joint bases within the DOD, the 502nd ABW officials will oversee installation support at Lackland and Randolph AFBs and Fort Sam Houston.