Unaccompanied housing starts upgrade

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Devante Williams
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Luke Air Force base received funds from Air Education and Training Command for unaccompanied housing upgrades as part of the 56th Fighter Wing's mission to take care of its Airmen.

"With these funds we are able to maintain dorm integrity and provide for more Airmen coming to the base," said Master Sgt. Robert Sheipline, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron unaccompanied housing superintendent. "One of the biggest projects that funds are going toward is redesigning the two dorm buildings that are not in use at this time."

Building 452 is one of the first dorms to begin reconstruction. 

"A total of 154 rooms are being renovated in this project including the complete renovation of building 452," said Staff Sgt. Jimmy White, 56th CES unaccompanied housing airman dorm leader. "Showers, bathrooms, flooring and much more will be renovated and updated to the same standard as the newest dormitories thanks to the funding we received from AETC."

The funds provided are also going into other projects such as repairs for the basketball courts and furnishings in the dorms.

"We also received $400,000 for comprehensive repairs in the existing dorms," Sheipline said. "This money will be put to use repairing ventilation, tiling, and replacing furniture that is outdated. In short, we are trying to make all the dorms feel new."

With these new additions soon to be added in the dorm community, the quality of life for the Airmen will significantly improve.

"It's all about quality of life," White said. "Keeping that high standard of living is what the Air Force is all about. The Air Force is always evolving and we want to make sure the dorms evolve as well to keep up with the high standard of living for the Luke Airmen."