AFCEE takes on iconic project for the U.S. Air Force Academy Published Jan. 25, 2011 By Summer Allen Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment here is preparing to build a leadership training facility for cadets attending the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. This is the most significant construction project for the agency, as well as for the Air Force, AFCEE officials said "This project is a momentous benchmark for AFCEE as we work towards delivering this iconic facility for the USAFA and for the Air Force," AFCEE Director Terry Edwards said. "The building's importance is two-fold: it allows the academy to meet their number one goal of prepping over 4,000 young men and women annually to be future Air Force leaders; also, it will be a symbolic representation of the USAFA's culture and the Air Force." The project's design will be modeled after the academy chapel's design, a renowned facility that attracts tourists from all over the world. This will be the first major structure built in the Cadet Area since the original construction back in the '50s and early '60s. The project will kick off this month with a site visit meeting, which will provide interested contractors an opportunity to visit the Academy to hear a description of the project, receive a copy of the design specifications, and have an opportunity to tour the site and take photographs. "We are very excited to be given this opportunity at the academy, and we will continuously strive to provide first-rate services as we work as a team with our contractors to build this world-class facility," AFCEE Construction Programs Chief Ben Kindt said. (Ms. Allen is an AFCEE construction programs contractor)