The New Face of RED FLAG-Alaska

  • Published
  • By Glenn Roll
  • 353rd Combat Training Squadron
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  RED FLAG-Alaska opened the doors June 1 to its newly renovated combined maintenance and operations facility; building 1141.

Following the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure decision that forever changed the operational landscape at Eielson Air Force Base, I had the privilege of helping shape RED FLAG as part of the PACAF Site Activation Task Force in early 2006.

At that time, the team was in search of a suitable location to host specialized functionality required to transition COPE THUNDER into what would become the Pacific Theater's premier tactical training exercise: RED FLAG-Alaska. The new lease on life for building 1141 will prove to be a key component of RF-A for generations to come.

The building has a deep heritage at Eielson Air Force Base dating back to 1954. Building 1141 originally opened its doors on November 15, 1954, as the Strategic Air Command's aircraft maintenance building. The aircraft maintainers who worked in this building ensured SAC alert aircraft were fully prepared to meet the Cold War mission. In the years following the Cold War era until renovation began in March 2008, building 1141 housed active duty and Air National Guard maintenance organizations in support of Eielson's flying mission.

The original construction costs of $727,716, adjusted for inflation, would equate to $5.8 million today. While a new building may have been preferred, only interior renovation was allowed due to the building's designation as "historic" and it's location inside of Eielson's historic flightline district. The total renovation cost of $11.8 million dollars created a state of the art facility with a new lease on life.

Improvements expanded the flexibility and brought much needed real estate to the RED FLAG-Alaska campus, increasing the ability to train the next generation of combat warriors. Nearly half the building is dedicated to secure office space intended for exercise operations and maintenance personnel. The secure space includes multiple unit rooms, briefing rooms, administrative offices, a Mission Planning Cell, and two auditoriums capable of seating over 180 people.

The Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex contractors, World Technical Services, Inc., occupy a third of the building to maintain large equipment like unmanned emitters and threat simulators used on the range. This is a first for the company since most of this maintenance has historically been performed outside. Now they have a well lit and heated facility, sheltered from the unpredictable and sometimes harsh weather, in which to perform maintenance.

Finally, the combined base Maintenance Operations Control Center has a new permanent home. For the first time this building brings the 354th Maintenance Group and RED FLAG-Alaska maintenance controllers together under one roof.

It was impressive to see such a project from start to finish, but more importantly to witness such a tremendous training capability realized. This facility will give the next generation pilot, flight lead, mission commander, intelligence officer, and deployed forces commander the ability to practice critical decisions in a state-of-the-art simulated combat environment.

It was my distinct pleasure to see this project through with many base agencies including 354th Civil Engineering Squadron, 354th Security Forces Squadron, and contractor teams from MWH Americas, Inc., GBC, Fullford Electric, Patrick Mechanical, Inc., Dynamic Painting, SimplexGrinnell, and many others.

Thank you to all the men and women who contributed their many talents during this project and in doing so created a tremendous training facility.