Officials open new 'Gateway to the Air Force'

  • Published
  • By Jennifer Schneider
  • AFCEC Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --  Air Force enlisted recruits, and their family and friends are now walking through a new "Gateway to the Air Force," following a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 30 that marked the official opening of the new Recruit/Family In-processing and Information Center here.

"This is where we hone young Americans into trainees and Airmen, and start them on the path to success for a life of service to their country," said Eric Benken, retired 12th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force and the ceremony's guest speaker.

The Air Force Civil Engineer Center managed construction of the $22 million facility, which is the first thing Air Force recruits and their families see before embarking on basic training.

"This multipurpose facility is designed to welcome over 35,000 recruits and 250,000 of their family and friends to the U.S. Air Force each year," said Von Whelchel, resource manager for the 737th Training Group at Lackland.

The focal point of the 70,000 square-foot facility is the front entrance, which is lined by six pillars featuring engravings that detail the Air Force's core values of "Integrity first," "Service before self" and "Excellence in all we do," and operation domains of "Air, Space and Cyberspace."

The RFIIC was specially designed with a 1,000-person auditorium to accommodate training and ceremonial activities. Large windows located at the front of the auditorium provide a full view of outdoor graduation events, with additional outdoor seating for 2,000 spectators.

The building features two wings, with one branch providing administrative space for recruit in-processing and the other serving as a reception area for trainees and their families.

"The unique design of the facility maximizes available space as it accommodates both Airmen trainees and the large number of visitors the training group receives," said Joseph Fox, AFCEC project manager for the facility.

The RFIIC serves as the cornerstone of a larger planned campus which will ultimately include seven dormitories, and associated dining and classroom facilities.

Co-locating these facilities on one campus will reduce commuting time and cost for trainees, which are significant savings when taking into consideration the 35,000 recruits who train there each year, Whelchel said.

The project's success can be attributed to a strong team effort by all parties involved, Whelchel said.

"The professionalism and partnership between AFCEC, Air Force civil engineers, contractors and the737th Training Group played a significant role in the successful completion of this facility," Whelchel said. "They knew the importance of the facility and it paid off big time. We were able to work through any issues that came up."