New CGO housing at Eielson

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Shad Eidson
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Base leadership recently held an open house ribbon cutting ceremony in Ravens Wood neighborhood, Eielson Air Force Base's newest housing tract.

The company-grade officer housing area will add 29 new homes to the base's housing inventory once the construction contractor transfers ownership to the 354th Fighter Wing. Currently, one house has been accepted and the neighborhood's first family has moved in.

Capt. Max Cover, from the 18th Aggressors Squadron, along with his wife Lori was happy to get into their new home following their PCS from Germany.

"It's an awesome house for us and the unit is beautiful," said Captain Cover. "I was glad to have my family settled before heading out on the road show."

The new houses feature several energy efficient improvements over the original houses including radiant heated floors, improved windows and doors, large capacity washers and dryers, and two-car garages with drainage and storage areas.

Although the main focus is saving energy, some improvements are made to help occupants live a more comfortable life, said John Moriarty, construction program manager. For instance, the new houses include a large second floor bonus room which compensates for the lack of basement space that was available in older homes. They also have kitchens with eat-in raised bar areas and cultured solid surfaces for easier cleaning and maintenance.

"The quality of living is something you are not going to find on other bases," Mr. Moriarty said about the green energy enhancements and creature comfort amenities.

The floor plans are mostly the same but there is room for adapting each house with some different spacing to give owners a sense that it is their own home, said Dave Langley, 354th Civil Engineer Squadron housing supervisor. The slight differences are not enough to make one house better than another as all units have the same amenities.

"The Air Force is trying its hardest to provide quality homes," he added.

Making sure servicemembers' families are well provided for is a leadership priority and it also strengthens the wing's mission capability. When families are comfortable, Airmen performing the mission are more prepared to focus on the task at hand.

The construction is organized into four sections which affect several housing areas including; Galaxy Heights, Century Park North, Broadway, and Ravens Wood. The Ravens Wood neighborhood is the last section of Eielson's current construction project. The first neighborhood to start opening was the northern section of Century Park North for junior enlisted members last April.

The next section, scheduled to open in May with 76 new homes, is Century Park North's southern area for senior NCOs and a portion of Galaxy Heights for junior enlisted. By the end of August, 54 junior enlisted houses are expected to open in Century Park North. The last section effects Broadway and Galaxy Heights with two parts - new construction and renovations. Construction on 90 new houses is estimated to complete by April 2012. The renovation of 99 houses begins in March with completion expected around September 2012.

Contractors are ahead of schedule, said Mr. Moriarty. Since the construction began, 331 houses have been demolished while 349 new houses have begun construction. Additionally, 99 houses will be renovated after a design stage is completed in April. If the upcoming construction season runs smoothly, Eielson will place a family in the final house by the end of summer next year.