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Fifth CMSAF helps Columbus AFB open new CDC

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Chase Hedrick
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  With the assistance of the fifth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force, Robert Gaylor, Columbus AFB held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 8 to commemorate the grand opening of the new Child Development Center here.

"I wish that everyone who ever served in the Air Force, since 1947, who had children with them could have been there this morning. I just know they would have reacted like 'I'm so glad it's now happening,'" Chief Gaylor said. "I think most of us would have said it was due, and I applaud it. I know that was my reaction. My mind just simply said 'I'm glad we were able to do it."

As the newest addition to the showplace of the south, this energy efficient design is the first military construction project at Columbus AFB in more than 13 years. The facility which was designed and built by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers took 17 months and a partnership with CDC representatives to complete.

"They (the Army Corp of Engineers) were so wonderful to work with," said Martha Mann, 14th Flying Training Wing CDC director.

Chief Gaylor, alongside Col. Barre Seguin, 14th Flying Training Wing commander, Chief Master Sgt. Zefrem Smith, 14th FTW Command Chief, and Mrs. Mann, cut the ribbon and toured the new 24,000 sq. ft. facility.

A gold certifiable leader in energy and environmental design, the new CDC is internationally recognized as a green building in areas of energy savings performance, water efficiency, improved environmental quality and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.

While the design of the building allows for better use of resources for years to come, its primary role is to cultivate and house one the country's most important resources -- the children.

"This ribbon cutting completes the transition from a dated structure built in 1968 to a brand new, world-class child care facility," said Capt. Marshall Buck, 41st Flying Training Squadron and EMCEE for the event. "We are proud to cut the ribbon on this new 21st Century facility which will provide Team BLAZE families world class child care services for many years to come."