New TLF offers Airmen, families peace of mind

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Yash Rojas
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Airmen gathered Nov. 9 as the 354th Fighter Wing vice commander cut the ribbon to celebrate the newest addition to Eielson Air Force Base's Temporary Lodging Facilities.

The grand-opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony marked a true turning point for the installation's temporary facilities for Airmen soon to call Eielson their home, especially families.

"It's our job to provide new Airmen and their dependents with the best facilities possible to ensure a smooth transition to Eielson from the very beginning," said Col. Lynn Scheel 354th FW vice commander. "Imagine you are an Airman and you are married. Now imagine you have three kids and two sixty-pound dogs. Staying in this new TLF is much more accommodating and with more room for the whole family, it can make their first days at Eielson much easier."

According to Scheel, the temporary housing will provide incoming Airmen with an opportunity to transition to Eielson with fewer headaches. First impressions are crucial, but so is peace of mind; this is why it makes a significant difference where new families spend their first days while in-processing into Eielson.

Taking care of Airmen is a top priority at Eielson, but what makes the new modifications to the base facilities worthwhile is the improved living space.

The older TLF, the Sourdough Inn, housed up to four people with only a single bedroom and bathroom.

A number of base housing units were renovated with new furniture to give Airmen an opportunity to have their entire family under one roof. Up to eight people can live in the new units which have several bedrooms, complete with two and a half baths.

"It is a huge difference because the added space can accommodate large families as well as smaller families," said Erika Beagle, 354th Force Support Squadron assistant lodging manager. "The improvements give families the peace of mind to live comfortably while they get settled on base."

Stage one of the project provided 19 units available as of Nov. 9 and stage two will add another 20 more expected to be ready for Airmen by mid-to-late December. Pet-friendly units are also available for Airmen with animals, removing the need for kenneling in Fairbanks.

As for the Sourdough Inn, it is scheduled to be turned over to the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron to determine the future of the facility.

Renovations to older base housing have made it possible to give new life to housing units that would have otherwise been destroyed. Married or not, incoming Airmen can rest easy knowing they will be well taken care of while they transition to life in interior Alaska.