Breaking Ground

Distinguished visitors break ground during a ceremony for the new 8th Air Support Operations Squadron building Jan. 12 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The new facility will collocate 8th ASOS with its air support and provide space for administrative operations, training, vehicle and equipment maintenance and storage. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Briana Jones)

8th ASOS breaks ground on new facility

Published Jan. 19, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Jenay Randolph
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- The 8th air support operations squadron celebrated a momentous occasion with a ground breaking ceremony Jan. 12 at building 940A for their new support operations squadron facility.

"The new facility will provide better conditions, technical support, infrastructure and quality of life for the members of the 8th ASOS," said Lt. Col. Matthew Robinson, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron commander.

The new building allows for a 30 percent increase in square footage, which will in turn provide more storage space for equipment, easier accessibility and more efficiency. The new facility will also provide additional space for administrative, operations, training, vehicle and equipment maintenance and storage. Construction on the 31,915 square feet facility began Dec. 16 and is scheduled to be completed in June 2013.

Currently the 8th ASOS operates out of several facilities. The $7.2 million facility will collocate 8th ASOS with its air support operations, command section and radio facilities. The 8th ASOS provides command and control of close air support and maintains mission-ready air support operations personnel, radios, vehicles and mobility equipment.