money Battle Creek Air National Guard base to celebrate new entrance with Friday groundbreaking
BATTLE CREEK — The Battle Creek Air National Guard Base is celebrating the groundbreaking of its new entrance with an on-base ceremony at noon Friday.
The Air National Guard will be joined by U.S. Senator Gary Peters, who secured $10 million for the military construction project in the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act through his role on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The new entrance, located on the base’s west side, will improve traffic safety and security concerns.
“Moving the base entrance from Dickman Road to Skyline Drive makes sense from the standpoint of safety andsecurity,” Col. Daniel Kramer II, 110th Wing commander, Battle Creek ANG Base, said in a release. “This project has been in the works for many years with incredible support from local government. We also appreciate the tireless efforts of Michigan's congressional delegation on both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to secure the funding.”
The base, which last year marked its 75th anniversary in the Battle Creek community, now supports a diverseportfolio of mission sets including a cyber defense squadron, MQ-9 Reaper flying operations, agile combat support capabilities, and a command and control and planning function for U.S. Air Forces Europe – Air Forces Africa. The facility at 3367 W. Dickman Road is the home station for nearly 1,000 Airmen tasked with providing high-tech defense skill sets for decision makers at the state and federal level.
“Battle Creek Air National Guard Base is critical to our national defense and Michigan’s military footprint,” said Peters, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. “That’s why I fought for and secured $10 million in federal funding to construct a new main gate and entrance facility that will improve both security and day-to-day operations for those serving on the base.”
While the $10 million project marks a significant upgrade for the infrastructure of the base, it also represents aboost to the economy of Southwest Michigan.
“This investment in Battle Creek will not only strengthen our historical military presence, which is vital to ourlocal economy, but will also position the defense community for growth in Battle Creek,” said Joe Sobieralski,president and CEO of Battle Creek Unlimited.
In addition to a new entrance and main gate, the project also includes a new 370-square foot guard house and a 2,400-square foot covered vehicle inspection area. A total of 105,300 square feet of new pavement will be installed at the corner of Skyline and Dickman roads.
“As a community we have a long history of supporting our military," Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke said. "This appropriation helps continue good relationships as well as an excellent investment for the future, not just for our military infrastructure, but also our community.”
Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: BC Air National Guard Base to host groundbreaking ceremony Friday
