AFPC renovates for the future

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ian Hoachlander
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --  Nearly 47 years after construction, the Air Force Personnel Center B wing is being torn down from its location on the historic AFPC Building 499 campus.

The AFPC campus includes five wings (A through E), each a separate building that houses most of AFPC's 2,700 Airmen who work to develop and deliver innovated, customer-focused Total Force support solutions to commanders, Airmen and families.

A and C wings, among the original wings, were constructed in the 1930s. B and D wings were constructed in the 1960s and E wing was added in the mid-1980s. Up until 2010, Building 499 had never undergone a comprehensive renovation.

"In recognition of serious decline of the building, AFPC made renovation of Building 499 a top priority, and so began a long-range master planning and phased renovation process," said Sharon Moore, AFPC facilities chief. "AFPC began this process by fully renovating A and C wings between 2011 and 2015. We then set our sights on B wing."

B wing was built in 1968 as a large main-frame computer facility. In 1985, the building was repurposed to house administrative activities like airmen assignments, retirements, awards and decorations, dress and appearance, developmental teams and myriad other personnel programs. The building also housed the Boles Conference Center that was used for special events and ceremonies.

Many senior non-commissioned officers serving here today started their personnel careers in B wing working in Airman Assignments.

"I was a senior airman and a new personnelist when I first came to AFPC," said Chief Master Sgt. Rebecca Galambos, Assignments and AEF Operations superintendent. "B wing's long hallway was home to us on the assignments floor. Watching it being torn down over the last week has brought back a lot of great memories for those that started their careers here."

Additionally, B wing was the first home of the Total Force Service Center and to the personnel who managed the myPers website, who strive to provide direct personnel services and support for all centralized personnel programs to total force Airmen and their families through a service center approach.

After nearly half a century, however, B wing showed evidence of building deficiencies including inadequate electrical power, high energy consumption and inefficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

By removing B wing, AFPC is able to eliminate substandard workspaces, and open up space between A and C wings to help bring natural light to the occupants.

Most importantly, removing B wing supports the Air Force goal of reducing its real property footprint to help cut maintenance and energy costs.

"As part of an ongoing restoration project, AFPC determined it was in the best interest of the Air Force to remove B wing since it was the No. 1 energy consumer on base," Moore said.

Demolition is projected to be complete by the end of August. AFPC will then use this area as a green space and gateway between the remaining wings. AFPC's facility renovation focus will now turn to defining scope and obtaining funds for future projects that could include upgrades to Buildings 663 and 499 D and E wings.