SAVANNAH, Ga. -- The 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, held a ground breaking ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017 at the Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport. The ceremony celebrated the construction of the unit’s new Squadron Operation Building as well as the completion of the unit’s new ramp project.
The $8.5 million construction project will be a state of the art 24,000 square foot facility that will be the standard for other C-130 Squadron Operation facilities in the Air National Guard.
“It just means that our Airmen are going to be able to come to work in a professional building worthy of their efforts,” said Brig. Gen. Joe Jarrard, Adjutant General, Georgia National Guard. “And they’re moving out of a 1950- era building that is way past its life.”
The unit completed a $14 million ramp construction project in June, which covered a 23-acre area at the Savannah-Hilton Head IAP. This nine-month project brought the ramp up to higher standards as well as increase its energy standards.
“Longevity wise, it keeps the mission going for a long time,” said Col. Gomez, Wing Commander 165th AW. “It keeps us here in Savannah.”
The building is expected to be completed in December.
The 165th Airlift Wing hosted a ground breaking ceremony for the new Squadron Operations building near the flight line Jan. 4, 2017. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Amber Williams)