RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Driving down Mitchell Avenue, walking to the Rheinland Dining Facility, or stopping by Club 7, Airmen on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, may have caught a glimpse of Ramstein’s newest addition.
Ramstein’s new dormitory, building 2411, is currently undergoing final inspections to ensure the building meets safety standards.
This is the third dorm built for Ramstein under the “Dorms 4 Airmen” (D4A) concept. Under construction since August 2015, the floor plan incorporates four apartments with private living areas, bedrooms and a private bath, as well as shared common areas with a kitchen, social space, and laundry facilities.
Dorm 2411 is replacing dorm 2413, which is scheduled for demolition in March 2018. Current dorm 2413 occupants from units including the 86th Maintenance Group, 1st Combat Communications Squadron, 603rd Air Operations Center, and 603rd Air Communications Squadron will move to dorm 2411.
“As an Airman living on base, it’s always nice to see new facilities like this dorm being made to improve the overall quality of life,” said Senior Airman Gary Daniels, 1st ACOS infrastructure technician. “The dorms look really nice and definitely add to the appeal of the on-base housing area. Even though I won't be living in these dorms, it’s refreshing to see investments like this being made so that we as Airman can live comfortably while we are stationed here.”
This dormitory replaces aging infrastructure, easing dorm maintenance requirements for the 86th Civil Engineer Squadron.
For those who’ve watched the dormitory grow from a few piles of dirt to a newly finished and improved housing area, the amount of work that went into ensuring this dorm was built not only to standard, but in a timely manner, is huge.
“The Air Force inspects for adequate fire suppression systems, evacuation routes, Antiterrorism Force Protection measures, etc.,” said Master Sgt. Jacques Phillips, 86th CES unaccompanied housing superintendent. “Any discrepancies must be resolved by the contractor, and once the Air Force accepts the building from the contractor, all 192 rooms must be furnished.”
From incorporating design to sorting out the proper paperwork, planning for this dorm started in fiscal year 2006. It took four years to move from design approval to military construction funds paying for the project, which met construction expectations.
Thanks to units like the 86th CES, Air Force Civil Engineer Center, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and German Bauamt (LBB Kaiserslautern), Ramstein Airmen’s quality of living just got even better.
“Quality of living for our Airmen is a big thing, and being able to introduce new living facilities is great,” Phillips said.