AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Aviano Airmen should see their gas coupons lasting a little longer now thanks to the base's newest Air Force Smart Operations 21 initiative - the Aviano Consolidated Support Center.

Some of the base's most frequented offices, formerly located between three geographically separated areas of the base, are now under one roof, Building 1413, in Area F (the flight line area) located across the street from the Dragon Fitness Center running track.

"Before, members in or out-processing the base spent a lot of time and gas traveling back and forth between Areas 1, 2 and F to visit the different offices required on their checklists," said 1st Lt. Eric Moore, Consolidated Support Center project officer and 31st Force Support Squadron career development chief. "By consolidating all of these services into one general area we are saving the Air Force man hours and money. This is just another step in AFSO 21."

Offices located within the new Consolidated Support Center include:

31st Logistics Readiness Squadron Traffic Management Office and Scheduled Airlines Ticket Office
31st Security Forces Squadron Soggiorno Office
31st Force Support Squadron Passport Office
31st FSS Testing (Weighted Airman Promotion System)
31st FSS Airman and Family Readiness Center Retiree Office
31st FSS AFRC Veterans Affairs
31st Fighter Wing Antiterrorism Office
31st FW Inspector General
31st FW Inspections
31st FW Safety
31st FW Public Affairs
31st FW Historian
Base In-Service Recruiter (Air National Guard and Reserve)
U.S. Air Forces in Europe Operations Locations

In addition to those offices now housed in Building 1413, the home fuels office was also recently relocated from Area 2 to Area F into Building 1403, next door to the Consolidated Support Center. Also located within Building 1403 are the military personnel services, finance and legal offices.

Lieutenant Moore also noted that the 31st SFS Pass and ID office will also be moving into Building 1403 later this year to complete the one-stop-shop concept.

"Our main motivation for this massive project was to centralize as many frequented services in one area as possible," he said.

While most offices located within the Consolidated Support Center began moving in early January, there are still some boxes around the building which still need to be unpacked and some of the smaller details are still in the works such as an office directory in the entrance way, as well as designated customer service parking spaces.

"We hope to have these final details ironed out in the coming weeks, but in the meantime all of the offices are up and running as they have been throughout the move," said Lieutenant Moore.

The 31st FW safety office, which moved from one of the older base buildings, said it is very pleased with its move into the new center.

"The new facility is definitely an up-grade giving us a professional office atmosphere," said Master Sgt. Jason Shannon, ground safety manager. "It's easy for customers to access and conduct safety business and it's convenient for us to conduct business with all the other offices located within the building. The majority of the base's day-to-day business is conducted in Area F. Consolidating different base agencies into one facility really helps the customer."

Sergeant Shannon said he was also impressed with the new classroom his office was provided for the various classes and seminars they conduct.

"The safety classroom and training area is a major improvement as we have gone from using an old racquetball court to a community classroom within the facility," he said.

Another benefit the Consolidated Support Center project brings to the base is that it frees up several buildings which the wing is currently paying rent for.

"This will enable Aviano to eventually turn these facilities over to the Italian Government resulting in money saved for Aviano and the Air Force," said Lieutenant Moore. "This project really is an all around benefit to the base."

The official grand opening of the new facility is scheduled for March.