Aviano receives base-wide facelift

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cary Smith
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Base-wide construction projects are currently underway to increase operational efficiency and improve morale.

In an ever-changing military, it's important that facilities are up-to-date to provide Team Aviano with an effective working environment.

"The base is undergoing a lot of infrastructure changes right now," said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Christina Geurts, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron construction manager. "The main purpose of these projects is to increase functionality and save money through efficiency."

Several offices from separate areas have already started the move to central locations on Area F.

"We want to get offices out of older buildings and into more energy efficient ones," said Anthony Duty, 31st CES engineer flight chief. "The goal is to consolidate offices and our physical footprint by 20 percent before 2020."

Duty said approximately five projects still remain from the initial Aviano plan to move service providers closer to their customers. Two highly visible projects are the renovations to Hangar 1 and construction of new flight simulators.

"It's hard to miss a big crane on the flightline helping to build the new flight simulators," said Geurts. "The simulators will be closer to where pilots work, providing easier access."

As for the Hangar 1 renovations, they were long overdue. The hangar, originally built in 1935, has been updated several times throughout the years, leaving it a mix-and-match of old and new systems.

"The time has come now for a complete overhaul," said Geurts. "Hangar 1 is getting new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, communication systems, upgraded lights and plumbing, and a new maintenance bay floor."

The hangar is expected to be ready by August 2016. Since both U.S. Air Force and Italian air force personnel use the hangar, construction crews are working hard to complete the hangar on time.

Not all projects are directly related to daily operations. There are many construction projects aimed at improving Team Aviano's quality of life.

"Library construction on Area 1 has begun again," said Geurts. "We want the library to support the base community because of its proximity to the schools and Aviano Youth Program."

Renovations are also being made to dormitory dayrooms.

"Each dayroom is getting new furniture, pool tables and game equipment," said Master Sgt. Jean Coleus, 31st CES dorm superintendent. "We want better resources for our Airmen so they have a nice place to meet and spend time together."

All dorm dayrooms will receive Wi-Fi as well, which is the number one requested item by dorm residents, said Coleus.

"Our plan is to make an atmosphere where dorm residents can relax and stay connected without having to travel off base to spend time," said Coleus. "We have the opportunity to provide better things for our Airmen, so we are doing the best we can to make it feel like home."

These ongoing 31st CES efforts are going a long way toward providing better spaces for work and social life to further the needs of an ever-growing mission set.