End of year closeout brings improvements to Barksdale

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Beginning this new fiscal year, Barksdale will see construction projects such as; new East side walking/running trail, main base drainage improvements, North Gate canopy and window replacements to name a few.

These projects are able to begin due to leftover funds from last fiscal year are repurposed to make installations better for Airmen and their families.

"We take all the budgets and expenses from every unit on the base and match it to what they actually spent," said Lt. Col. Anthony Smith, 2nd Comptroller Squadron commander. "Anything that is leftover we use to improve base quality of life. The money was already there, it just may not have been needed for what it was originally set for. When it doesn't get used we work with 2nd Bomb Wing commander, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron and 2nd Contracting Squadron to repurpose it. "

Base improvements are left up to the 2nd BW commander and 2nd CES engineers to decide where it will best help base residents.

"The 2nd CES has many projects around the base," said Eric Tillstrom 2nd CES engineering flight chief. "Many of these projects are already on the list, but are waiting for funding based on the importance of need. If it involves cost savings, security, safety or improvements to production can mean the difference in priority."

Some improvements base residents and personnel may have already seen, while some have yet to start.

Things like:

· North Gate canopy
· Main Base water drainage
· Running / walking trail in Family Housing area
· Window replacements in hangars

"Improvements such as the East Side Walking Trail will provide residents of Liberty Heights with a safe passage from their homes to the shoppette," said Maj. Ryan LeBlanc 2nd CES Operations Flight commander. "Currently, residents walk along the unimproved roadside or on the road itself to get to the shoppette. This creates a safety concern since the road in that area has no shoulder, so pedestrians are sharing the road with vehicles."

Roadsides aren't the only thing getting a face lift with these new funds.

"North Gate will soon be the proud owner of a new canopy similar to the West Gate," said Tillstrom. "With this, our Security Forces Airmen and gate patrons will be out of the rain while coming and going. It also adds new lighting options to the gate, which helps with base security."

End of year fund projects not only improve safety and security they also have the opportunity to save the government money as well.

"We are about to start replacing windows on many of the hangars and several other buildings this fiscal year," said Tillstrom. "These new windows on hangars will let in more natural light, and helps lower our electric costs. They are also insulated more than the old ones, which means lower costs to heat and cool [the hangars]."

Barksdale uses leftover funds to improve morale, security and energy efficiency which can help the base operate more efficiently, but forward progress takes patience. While these projects are in work or beginning, the base populace should watch for construction signs and obey traffic laws.