Wing cuts ribbon on new 303rd FS building

  • Published
  • By Maj. David Kurle
  • 442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Two years of anticipation came to an end Nov. 7, 2009, when the commanders of the 442nd Fighter Wing and the 303rd Fighter Squadron cut the ribbon on the A-10 unit's new operations building.

The $8.4 million facility was recently completed and A-10 pilots and operations support staffs are currently moving into the building, which boasts enhanced security, larger workspaces and spectacular views of the Whiteman Air Force Base flight line.

The larger facility was the result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission' s decision to add nine additional A-10s and 250 more people to the 442nd Fighter Wing.

The 303rd FS had been operating out of office space in the 509th Bomb Wing's T-38 hangar, now the A-10 pilots in the 303rd have a place of their own.

The facility was constructed with help from the Regular Air Force's 509th Bomb Wing, which serves as the host-unit at Whiteman, as well as engineering, contracting and construction support provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Kansas City District, commanded by Army Col. Roger Wilson.

The 303rd Fighter Squadron's parent organization, the 442nd Fighter Wing, is an Air Force Reserve Command unit based at Whiteman.