Airmen, senior leaders open new enlisted dorm

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Officials cut a ribbon today to officially mark completion of a 25,000-square-foot dormitory that will accommodate up to 66 unaccompanied enlisted Airmen here.

The new facility replaces dorms built in 1955.

Airman 1st Class Summer Carrion, who will start living in the new dormitory later this month, called the opening of the facility a “pivotal moment in our blossoming Air Force careers.”

“The Air Force is taking care of us and truly giving us what we need to succeed,” said Carrion, a member of the 66th Comptroller Squadron.

Occupants will move in to the new dormitory Dec. 8.

The installation commander spoke about the need for the facility for Hanscom’s youngest military members.

“To have the opportunity to give back, especially to our junior Airmen, a brand new facility to say ‘we have invested in you, the future of our Air Force’ is pretty spectacular,” said Col. Chad Ellsworth.

Another resident of the new dorm, Airman 1st Class Dominik Daigneault, a member of Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Detachment 7, spoke about the improvement in the quality of life for the occupants.

“I cannot stress how excited I am to call this new building a home,” he said. “I would like to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who has made this new dorm possible. It is everything we could have wished for.”

Rooms are in modules that accommodate up to four people. Each module has individual bedrooms and bathrooms, and a common area with a full kitchen.

The commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District highlighted the partnerships involved in completing the project.

“From our local congressional delegation, the 66th Air Base Group and Hanscom, our prime contractor and sub-contractor, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers here in New England District, thank you for your hard work and your dedication to delivering a quality product on time and on budget,” said Col. William Conde.

Officials broke ground on the $13.2 million project in March 2017.

According to Dave Wong, 66th Civil Engineering Division chief of programs, the new building is being submitted as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating. LEED is an environmental rating system that ensures electricity cost savings, lower carbon emissions and healthier environments.