Bagram receives first relocatable dormitory

  • Published
  • By Capt. Toni Tones
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN) --  The standard of living improved dramatically for more than 100 Airmen on Camp Cunningham here with the opening of the first relocatable dormitory here Feb. 26.

Texan Hall was officially dedicated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and called home for 120 Airmen deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. 

The remaining 13 dormitories will also be named based on the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing's historical precedence.

"We elected to name our first dormitory Texan due to wing's numerous ties to the Texan aircraft and the state of Texas," said Col. Barry Mines, the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group commander. "So it was only fitting that the first building be named Texan Hall."

The wing's first commander, Col. Kenneth Cool, trained at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. Hensley Field, Texas was the first Air Force home station for the 455th Bombardment Group Very Heavy and where the North American AT-6 Texan was built and underwent work. Today, many Air Force pilots train on the T-6A Texan II.

The $14.5 million contract, funded by U.S. Central Air Forces Command, was awarded by the Afghanistan engineer district of the corps of engineers in August 2007 to Afghanistan Construction Companies Umbrella. The dormitories, comprised of CONEX containers, will accommodate 1,400 billets based on Central Command's Sandbook standards of 80 square feet per person.

Just six months later, the first dormitory opened for residents.

"Our team did an outstanding job getting the furnishings ready for the buildings," said Maj. Shawn Mann, the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Squadron commander. "Their stellar efforts allowed Airmen to take occupancy in minimal time."

Among the improvements for Airmen are the indoor showers and latrines on each floor, and better heating and cooling systems in each room.

"It's a nice change from the B-hut to the relocatable dorm," said Airman Bryan Irving Gemina, a new dorm resident. "My old B-hut was really dusty. The new dorm is clean and has indoor plumbing, which is great for those cold nights here. Now I and other Airmen deployed here have a new facility we can call home."

The ceremony concluded with the ribbon cutting and a tour of Texan Hall's first floor. 

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