News

Dover Airmen move into $14 million-dollar dorm

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shen-Chia Chu
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Team Dover celebrates the grand opening of 'Dorms-4-Airmen' with a ribbon cutting ceremony April 23.

The dorm is first of its kind to be built at Dover Air Force Base, providing housing for 148 Airmen ranks E-1 through E-4.

"When you walk into these dorms, they are not designed to look like industrial buildings - they are built to look like comfortable apartment complexes," said Ray Couey, 436th Civil Engineer Squadron base housing asset manager, who takes care of the Airmen and families assigned to base housing and the dorms.

Airmen use their Common Access Cards, which are designed to replace metals keys to enter the four-person apartment-style dormitory and their private rooms. Every room has newly built walk-in closets, a bathtub and sink, climate-controlled heat and air conditioning, a ceiling fan and even a convenient mini-fridge in their dresser.

"We can assign any CAC card to open the doors and in case there is a malfunction, doors are able to be opened with the traditional metal key," said Mr. Couey. "If someone were to be locked out of their room, the Airman Dorm Leaders and the first sergeants hold the keys to opening doors in case of emergencies and to perform monthly health and room inspections."

Airmen living in the quad-style dorms will share a living room, dining room, kitchen and stackable washer and dryer between every four members.

"If my kids joined the Air Force, I would want them to have this kind of living standard," said Master Sgt. Michael Farkas, 436th CES dormitory superintendent. "We have spent $14 million in this project to give Airmen the best we can provide and this has helped increase morale and productivity."

The sergeant said he spoke to some of the new Airmen who moved into the new dorms, and they are giving very positive feedback.

"One of the Airmen said living in Dorms-4-Airmen reminds him of his room back home," said Sergeant Farkas. "Another Airman said he enjoys being able to take a bath in his very own bathtub."

Airman 1st Class Rebecca Sobiech, 436th Comptroller Squadron Budget Analyst, has lived in the old dorms and she said she likes her new dorm room significantly more than the old one.

"I am extremely grateful and happy to be able to move into the new dorms," said Airman Sobeich. "My favorite aspect about the new dorms, even above having a kitchen, is having my own bathroom and the entire atmosphere is brighter than my former room."