477th FG break ground on new facility

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class David Carbajal
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Construction officially began on the new 477th Fighter Group Headquarters Training Facility during a ground-breaking ceremony here May 19. 

Leadership from the Air Force Reserve Command, 3rd Wing and 477th FG were on hand for the event. 

"The facility we are building here will serve a crucial role in the development of world class Citizen Airmen," said Col. Eric Overturf, 477th FG commander. "It will provide increased combat capability for the 3rd Wing and 477th Fighter Group team." 

This $10.4 million facility will accommodate the group staff, command section, and Military Personnel Flight to provide administrative support for the Reservists. 

"We designed it to cover the full spectrum of operational Reserve support," said Colonel Overturf. "This facility will be the building where the Citizen Airmen are paid, promoted, evaluated, counseled, awarded, developed, disciplined, educated and equipped." 

This building will also host more than 400 Airmen during "drill" weekends, he added. Outside of these weekends, the 477th FG will work hand-in-hand with active duty Arctic Warriors as part of Total Force Integration. 

"When the 3rd Wing is operating at full surge capacity, I expect the building to be nearly empty because almost all of my Reservists will be directly integrated into Elmendorf's wartime mission," Colonel Overturf said. "With this facility, Arctic Reservists can focus on the business at hand-- flying, maintaining, and supporting the 3rd Wing's Airpower for America mission with the unparalleled capability of the F-22." 

The building is expected to be completed in September 2009.