Vandenberg breaks ground for education

Courtesy Photo | Artist's rendering of the $14.2 million education center to be constructed on Vandenberg Air Force Base by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractor Teehee-Straub, a joint venture out of Oceanside, Calif. Officials broke ground for the center Aug. 15.  

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CA, UNITED STATES

08.16.2012

Story by Jay Field 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.--Officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District and 30th Space Wing broke ground Aug. 15 for a new education center here. The $14.2 million building will replace a 60-year-old facility that is used by more than 3,000 Airmen and their families.

Col. Nina Armagno, 30th Space Wing commander, said the center will have room for five college programs, 25 classrooms, a training and WAPS (Weighted Airman Promotion System) testing area, two computer labs and a 75-seat auditorium to meet the education goals of base Airmen.

"Team Vandenberg is thirsting for knowledge and this new, state-of-the-art facility is just what we need," said Armagno. "This building will be more than bricks and mortar and glass that shall hold it together; it represents the Air Force's commitment to providing the best services and facilities to the best Airmen the world has ever seen."

The 38,000 square foot center is a design-build project awarded by the Corps to Teehee-Straub, a joint-venture team from Oceanside, Calif. Their 21st century design includes sustainable development and energy efficiencies, such as light pollution reduction and water use reduction.

Col. Mark Toy, Los Angeles District commander, said the Corps is proud to be part of the team at Vandenberg. His District has managed major construction at the base for more than fifty years, completing such projects as dormitories, a satellite operations facility and the recently opened LEED Gold child development center.

"We hope we can continue to build wonderful facilities for all of you," said Toy. "This is a perfect example of a great partnership between the Army and the Air Force. So, in the spirit of that, I will say, 'Go Army,' 'Go Air Force,' 'Beat Navy!'"

• Date Taken: 08.16.2012
• Date Posted: 08.30.2012 16:32
• Story ID: 94067
• Location: VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CA, US