MDS upgrades facility

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Danielle Wolf
  • 442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The 442nd Medical Squadron recently received upgrades to its facility at the Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. clinic. These upgrades included moving walls and offices, narrowing hallways for more office space and purchasing new furniture.

During a time when budget cuts are common, it was important for the wing to upgrade its facilities in an economical way.

The facility, which used to be an active-duty operation room back when the clinic was a hospital, had non-functioning operating equipment trapped behind walls and hallways. This posed a space and electrical-efficiency concern.

"It wasn't economical for us to build a new facility, which could have cost us $2-3 million," said Tim Storms, 442nd Fighter Wing financial management officer. "But to renovate the current facility cost less than $600,000. In the long run, they have a more functional facility to accomplish the current mission, and because the new facility is more energy efficient, it will save us money."

The mission of the 442nd MDS is to provide administration support and train reservists. The new facility provides a better utilization of space with new furniture that allows more efficient workspace. The operational equipment trapped in the walls was no longer functional, so by removing it, contractors were able to create more space for offices and training.

"The renovation really helped morale," said Senior Master Sgt. Rachel Grant, 442nd Medical Squadron. "Before, the office wasn't very user friendly. You'd have four desks crammed in a small space and not enough room for computers to complete our training on the weekends. The new office is a lot nicer and more effective for our reservists."
The new facility also provides additional storage for office equipment and medical records - something the squadron is now seeing more of with the additional personnel in the wing.

"The medical squadron itself has grown, and it was no longer a functional facility for the current mission," Storms said. "With budget constraints, we're no longer going to be able to build new facilities; we're going to have to work with what we already have. Restoring facilities is the wave of the future for the Air Force Reserve."