Photo By Richard Bumgardner | A side-by-side photo illustration shows construction progress on the Air Force’s...... read more read more
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Air Force marked a milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new two-story net zero addition to the Air Force's Personnel Center, Dec. 4, 2025.
Col. Calvin Kroeger, commander of USACE Fort Worth District, told the audience that the project reflects the Corps of Engineers’ mission to deliver sustainable facilities that directly support warfighters.
“When planning projects like this, we often focus on cost and timeline. But what matters most is the reason behind the project, the why,” Kroeger said. “We understand that AFPC has a 24/7 mission, and our goal at USACE has always been to deliver a world-class facility that ensures operational readiness for warfighters and their families.”
Built for Mission and Sustainability
The $29.7 million B-Wing 495 consolidates several AFPC functions previously housed in aging, scattered facilities across JBSA-Randolph. It supports critical operations such as mass casualty tracking, disability processing, wounded warrior programs and separation boards, all vital to AFPC’s global mission.
“This building will be staffed around the clock and supports Airmen and Guardians worldwide,” said Val Oppenheimer, the USACE resident engineer who has worked on the project since 2021. “It’s not just about the structure. It’s about giving the people who serve a better place to do their work.”
Engineering Innovation
San Antonio’s climate posed unique challenges. The city averages 18 to 25 days each summer with temperatures at or above 100 degrees, and in 2023 there were 75 such days. These extremes put added strain on building systems and increase utility costs.
“We had to think differently,” said Cesar Gonzalez, USACE project engineer. “Tight site conditions, labor shortages and unique design challenges pushed us to innovate. But the team stayed focused and delivered.”
The facility was designed to meet federal sustainability goals and incorporates several firsts for the Fort Worth District. Insulated concrete forms with an exterior air barrier system improve thermal performance and durability. A right-sized HVAC system, smart motion-sensor LED lighting and rooftop solar panels reduce energy demand. Rainwater runoff is captured in 30,000-gallon underground tanks and reused for non-potable water in lavatories. Clerestory windows and a full-height atrium maximize natural daylighting, reducing reliance on artificial lighting during peak hours.
The project’s net zero attributes were recognized with the 2024 USACE Innovation Award. The building is designed to produce as much energy as it consumes, and in practice it has already generated surplus power. The rainwater recapture system reduces potable water demand, while the exterior envelope and HVAC upgrades improve resilience against both extreme heat and cold snaps.
Remarks from the Ceremony
Maj. Gen. Jefferson O’Donnell, commander of AFPC, emphasized the importance of the new facility for the force and their families.
“This will serve our Airmen, Guardians, and their families during unexpected and unfortunate times of need,” O’Donnell said. “What stands here today began nearly a decade ago with the vision, planning, and sustained commitment of our AFPC Facilities Team. Projects of this magnitude succeed only through the dedication and expertise of many individuals, organizations, and partners. On behalf of the nearly 2.5 million Total Force Airmen, Guardians, retirees, and family members we support—and the entire AFPC team—I offer my sincere gratitude to everyone who made this vision a reality.”
Lt. Gen. Caroline Miller, deputy chief of staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services at Air Force headquarters, recalled the challenges of the February 2021 “snowmageddon” storm that shut down parts of Joint Base San Antonio for five days. This facility represents a substantial improvement to AFPC’s operational capabilities and capacities.
“This is a significant investment in the future of the Air Force Personnel Center and the Department of Air Force and most importantly, our total Air Force Airmen, Guardians, family members, retirees, caregivers, and survivors whom we serve.”
Miller went on to thank all the mission partners necessary to make a project of this scope and size possible.
“To everybody who contributed, thank you,” Miller said. “This new facility is the result of a strong partnership between the Air Force Personnel Center, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and various design and construction contractors, all working together to create a state-of-the-art building to better serve the Air Force community.”
A Model for the Corps of Engineers
The B-Wing project was featured at the 2023 Society of American Military Engineers conference in San Antonio, where USACE staff, designers and contractors shared lessons learned on net-zero construction. This project demonstrated that sustainable design can be achieved without increasing costs, a message that resonated across the Corps.
“This is the kind of project that shows what’s possible,” said Kyle Loudermilk, USACE area engineer at USACE’s South Texas Area Office, who led the project development. “We’re proud of what we’ve built, and we’re ready for what’s next.”
Loudermilk and his team plan to share best practices from the B-Wing project through USACE’s Communities of Practice, helping other districts apply similar approaches where feasible.
Benefits to Taxpayers
For taxpayers, the project represents more than a new building. It is a blueprint for how federal dollars can be spent wisely. By investing in net-zero design, the Department of War reduces long-term energy costs and ensures mission-critical operations remain uninterrupted. Every dollar saved on utilities and maintenance is a dollar that can be reinvested in national defense, disaster response or infrastructure improvements across the country.
| Date Taken: | 12.16.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 12.22.2025 14:45 |
| Story ID: | 554476 |
| Location: | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 60 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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