Dyess adds National Guard, Reservists to family

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Robert Hicks
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A ribbon-cutting ceremony and official grand opening of a new Armed Forces Reserve Center was held here Sept. 8.

The multi-use facility is part of the larger realignment of base facilities across the United States. Locally, the AFRC personnel could support missions on Dyess, the local community and the greater state of Texas.

The complex includes a 71,000 square-foot building, and a 30,000 square-foot vehicle and equipment maintenance center.

The cost of the facility is $40 million and will be the home to the Army Reserve 413th Civil Affairs Battalion, and the Texas Army National Guard 822nd Engineer Company (Horizontal) and 936th Engineer Team (Asphalt), along with recruiters for each unit.

Approximately 250-300 personnel will use the facility on a full-time and traditional Reserve basis.

The commanding officer of the 413th Civil Affairs Battalion and his soldiers are looking forward to the day they can move into their new home.

"The ones who have actually seen it are extremely excited," said Army Lt. Col. Jerry Cook, 413th Civil Affairs Battalion commander. "The buildings we're in right now we've been utilizing since the 1960s. This facility is a huge upgrade. The amenities we have in this building far exceed what we had in our old building."

Cook also added having the base exchange, fitness center and lodging on base will make it easier for him and his soldiers.

Being undermanned was a problem at their old facility, but being a part of Dyess helps them out.

"The big difference in coming here is when they raise the force protection level from Alpha to Bravo, it requires us to do a series of checks and balances. We're very limited on man power, so being here will allow us to fall under security forces. They will do a lot of the things required that we had to do at our old facility."

Some of the soldiers are looking forward to joint training.

"I'm very excited," said Army Capt. Mark Conrad 822nd Engineer Company commander. "It's a much better facility we have now. It provides a better opportunity for my soldiers to learn and train. I hope to integrate my training with some of the engineering here at Dyess. I think there's a lot we can learn from each other."

"We're very happy to be part of Team Dyess," Cook said. "Everyone has been very helpful in the move. "You can really see the lines start to blur with our sister service as we become more integrated."