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Hammering away

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stacia Zachary
  • 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Editor's note: This is one article in a series of construction updates. Next week will feature an update on the new Combat Control School construction and Manchester Park.

Pope has been undergoing some structural changes. The latest completed construction projects are the renovation of the old Shoppette into the headquarters for the Information, Tickets and Travel office as well as a new location for the First Citizens Bank.

The building formerly housing the bank will be integrated into the 43rd Communications Squadron network and be used as storage.

"We're trying to use buildings instead of leaving them vacant," said Maj. Erik Lagerquist, 43rd Civil Engineer Squadron. "With so many places in need of renovation or offices temporarily displaced, we are focusing our efforts on getting them into quality areas. Hopefully the new ITT building will be more appealing and more Airmen will want to
use the facility."

Another new construction project on the brink of unveiling is the new access control point at Manchester Gate. The gate will boast two-lane entrance and exit points as well as a search pit.

"While the contract currently calls for the gate to already have been completed, weather and material delays have pushed the completion date back to the end of July," said the major. "Once the construction is finished, the 43rd Security Forces Squadron will occupy the buildings for training on operation of the tire shredders, wedge barriers and other systems. Contingent upon the success of final inspections and training, the new gate will open for traffic by mid-August."

The reason for the security forces using the new gate facility for training first is to hammer out all quirks.

"It's important to work out all the bugs before we allow the gate to be fully operational," said Major Lagerquist. "Once it's open, we do not want to have to close it and add further burden on Pope traffic."

The total cost of the Manchester Gate renovation project is $3.9 million including the cost of landscaping, infrastructure, security equipment and roadwork.