Cottage demolition makes way for trainer development facility Published July 16, 2008 By Susan Griggs Keesler News KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- Gen. Stephen Lorenz, Air Education and Training Command's new commander, will be the last distinguished visitor to stay at Arnold Cottage when he visits Keesler next month. The cozy dwelling at the southwest corner of the Larcher Boulevard and Chappie James Avenue intersection is being demolished to make room for a new trainer development facility. The structure was built in 1941 as quarters for visiting officers, according to Katherine Scoggins, 81st Civil Engineer Squadron real property officer. In 1960, it was renovated and expanded to 1,359 square feet to accommodate distinguished visitors. About that time, it was designated as Arnold Cottage to honor Gen. Harley "Hap" Arnold, recognized as the father of the Air Force. The cottage has provided temporary lodging for senior Air Force and Defense Department leadership, members of Congress, incoming commanders and other special guests, according to Barbie Ragno, Inns of Keesler general manager. In the future, distinguished visitors are housed in other base lodging facilities The $12,216,000 facility being built on the site replaces the current trainer development building near the flight line that sustained major damage from Hurricane Katrina nearly three years ago. "We're releasing the site to the contractor July 28," said Vic Tilley of the 81st Civil Engineer Squadron's program management office. "Demolition requires disconnecting and securing all utilities, conducting an environmental survey, and sampling and testing the cottage for environmentally-controlled materials. Controlled materials must be abated prior to total demolition. "We expect demolition to be completed within 30 to 60 days, depending on the required environmental procedures," he added. The 81st Training Support Squadron's trainer development flight is anxious to move into new quarters, said Bruce Scott, flight chief. "Our flight is comprised of 33 civilians engaged in the production of training devices," he explained. "Our personnel are assigned to various disciplines, including engineering, resource management, electronic assembly, metal trades and wood crafting." The flight manages the design, development, fabrication and assembly of training devices and systems including computer-embedded simulators, part-task trainers and live and static mockups -- whatever instructional aids are required to support Keesler's resident and nonresident training, field training, tenant units and other governmental activities. "Our mission also includes quality assurance, depot maintenance, modification, repair, refurbishment and storage of excess training devices," Mr. Scott added.