KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Keesler has made progress with several large-scale base wide improvement projects.
After a record-breaking fiscal year in 2022, work has continued on multiple projects around the base supporting Keesler’s diverse community.
The base has an average of over 110,000 personnel, over 45,000 of which are local area retirees, using facilities each year in addition to over 4,200 students on an average day.
“There are a lot of people coming and going on base every day,” said Col. Chad Gemeinhardt, 81st Mission Support Group commander. “We have to find a way improve the facilities our permanent party, technical training students, families, and retiree population uses every single day.”
The most recent project to be completed was an environmentally friendly and cost-efficient turf field, which was officially reopened on Feb. 17 with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Construction is also ongoing to the airfield and runway, fixing depressions and drainage issues. These repairs secure the safety to support the mission of the 81st Training Wing, as well as the 815th Airlift Squadron, 53rd Reconnaissance Squadron and other DOD and civilian partners across Mississippi.
“It has taken Airmen from the 81st Contracting Squadron, 81st Civil Engineer Squadron, and 81st Comptroller Squadron and others to successfully complete these projects,” said Gemeinhardt. “We have a strong team of military, civilians, and contractors getting after necessary repairs and finding innovative solutions for anything that comes down the line.”
Construction is ongoing for other projects supporting efficient mission operations, including dorm and workplace renovations, repairs to the air traffic control tower and marina dock construction.
“The people who call this base home deserve the best we can offer them,” said Gemeinhardt. “These projects uphold our priorities of taking care of our people and community and improve life for Team Keesler. We look forward to continuous improvement in FY 2023 to keep us going strong.”