Award-winning Dover AFB housing is benchmark of AMC, AF

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  As a wrecking ball shatters the last of Dover Air Force Base's old housing and the fresh-paint smell still lingers on many new units, a team of winners departs the base and heads for the Rocky Mountains where a prestigious award awaits them.

The 436th Civil Engineer Squadron housing management team, coupled with Dover Air Force Base leadership, and the civilian partners of Pinnacle and Hunt Development Group, were selected as the 2007 Professional Housing Management Association Outstanding Housing Installation Team Award winners and are scheduled to receive the award at the PHMA's Professional Development Seminar in Denver Jan. 31.

"The competitiveness of the nominations signifies first-class leadership and innovative thinking in the Air Force," said Robert Moore, Air Force Asset Management and Operations Division deputy chief. "Their relentless drive, energy and thirst for success set the standard for excellence."

Mr. Moore's ideas are shared by leadership at Dover.

"Indeed, in the realm of privatized housing, Dover AFB has set the bar high," said Chief Master Sgt. John Wood, 436th Airlift Wing command chief. "As always, Dover set the standard through hard work from all parties involved."

The efforts were yet another example of the teamwork consistent with Team Dover's reputation, said the chief.

"Our commitment to a strong partnership program was a key factor in our selection as the winner of this award," said Ray Couey, 436th Civil Engineer Squadron housing and base-asset manager.

Cost and environmental savings were considered in every aspect to the award.

"(Throughout this project,) they recycled everything," said Mr. Couey. "Bricks and concrete were crushed and used in the paving of roads and as filling where needed. All the old siding, shingles, sinks and other bathroom fixtures and the wood framing were sold to be recycled.

"Even the trees they had to cut down were turned in to mulch and some of it was returned to this project for use," continued Mr. Couey. "Old appliances were donated to Habitat for Humanity and other charitable organizations like churches."

The construction project is projected to be complete in 2009, said Mr. Couey.

"At project completion, the 212 homes constructed in 2004 - 2005 will be joined by 768 new homes, making Dover the first base in Air Mobility Command to have all-new housing," he said.

Chief Wood agrees. "Not only will the base have the newest homes, they'll be the nicest," he said.

One thing that makes the houses nice, is the added amenities, said Phil Weis, Pinnacle's community director.

"All new homes have garages, no less than two full baths and energy-efficient appliances," said Mr. Weis. "Servicemembers are no longer responsible for their snow removal or landscaping (unless their yard is fenced in). This service is taken care of by the property manager, leaving more time for the member to spend quality time with the family."

Winning this award comes as no surprise to Col. Eric Wydra, 436th Airlift Wing vice commander.

"Everyone is really excited about the new homes here," said the colonel. "I've been in the Air Force 22 years and have never seen this level of enthusiasm for housing. Winning the award serves as a solid testament to what Team Dover Airmen are so excited about - having the best housing in the Air Force."

Chief Wood agrees with the colonel's assessment and added that the enlisted Airmen here live in the base enlisted housing in the Air Force.

"Through the years, commanders have always lived in nice houses for the era of their command," said the chief. "However, for the enlisted, the case was much, much different in the years gone by."

In the Dover area, in 2008, a married E-3 gets $1080 per month for basic housing allowance. It would be nearly impossible for this same Airman to find a brand-new house with the same square footage, yard, amenities and a garage anywhere in the area, explained Chief Wood. Today's Airmen have housing available to them that's been unparalleled anywhere at any time in Air Force history.

"I have been in the Air Force more than 20 years and this is, without a doubt, the nicest family housing I have ever seen for a new airman or an old chief like myself," said Chief Wood. "I truly appreciate the dedication and hard work of both Hunt and Pinnacle to make these houses more than brick and mortar - to make them homes our Air Force families can be proud to live in. I also want to thank all our families for taking time to keep our base housing beautiful and making it the best, bar none, in the Air Force!"

(Charlotte Kraenzle contributed to this article)