MOODY AFB —
A brand new $10.2 million headquarters building was unveiled Monday morning at Moody Air Force Base, providing a central location for the command posts of the 93rd AGOW (Air Ground Operations Wing) and the 23rd MSG (Mission Support Group) and a new home for the base’s command post.
The 36,000 square foot building sits in front of the G.W. Bush Air Park, at 5090 Garnder Street, and it houses offices for the 23rd Wing’s Public Affairs, Plans and Exercises, Area Defense Counsel, Air Force Smart Operations, Information Protections, Inspector General and Equal Opportunity departments. The 93rd AGOW’s Inspector General has moved into the building as well.
“It’s a monumental moment in “Team Moody” history,” said Col. Billy D. Thompson, commander of the 23rd Wing at Moody. “The building symbolizes and solidifies the partnership between the 23rd and the 93rd details.”
The base’s command post, the central communication hub for the base, will be moved into the new headquarters building soon, according to William Bryan, flight chief for the 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron programs.
“Relocating the Command post is extremely difficult,” said Flight Chief Bryan. “We have aircraft with people on every continent. We want to get it right before we officially move it into the new building.”
Though the ribbon cutting took place on June 11, public relations representatives said units from the 23rd and 93rd started moving into the building on Feb. 10.
“It brings a lot of efficiency to how we work and operate,” said Col. Mark A Ruse, commander of the 23rd Mission Support Group at Moody. I can now walk to a lot of the places I have to go to throughout the day, instead of driving.”
The term “green” carries a double meaning in reference to the new headquarters building. It’s certified as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver workplace, which is described by the US Green Building council as being a framework for implementing practical “green” solutions for building design, construction, operations and maintenance.
Ruse also said that a sixth aircraft will be showcased in the G.W. Bush Air Park to highlight the new headquarters building.
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