Long-awaited dorms now open

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Carrie Hinson
  • U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs
Southwest Asia --  The Expeditionary Force Support Squadron hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony here on Monday marking the grand opening of 300 new dorm rooms, commonly known as re-locatable billets or RLBs.

The new two-person RLBs adds 600 bed spaces and are just one of the many continuous improvement projects completed at the Air Expeditionary Wing to enhance present and future deployed service members’ quality of life as they move in and out of the area.

“The goal was to reduce the overcrowding of personnel in each RLB, making living arrangements fair and equitable across the services,” said Master Sgt. Rico, the EFSS lodging section chief. “Since many of the Army personnel were sleeping four to a room, our priority was to get them moved in first.”

Immediately following the ribbon cutting ceremony, Airmen and Soldiers started making their way to their new living quarters.

“The best thing about living in the RLBs is the privacy that you get with the room size and only one roommate,” said Spc. Crystina Brockly, Maintenance Company, 3rd Air Defense, 4th Artillery Regiment intermediate support element technician. “The old barracks didn't have any privacy. I am happy to go to my room now, where as before, it was just another place full of other people.”

Many others who worked on the $7.8 million project were also excited to see the opening of the new RLBs.

“This project has been ongoing for every rotation since 2011 and it’s a great to be part of the team that finally made this happen,” said Staff Sgt. Juan, Expeditionary Civil Engineer construction manager.

From the hard work put forth by subject matter experts involved in making sure things were done correctly to the volunteers who assisted in moving over 3,000 pieces of refurbished furniture into the new RLBs, the project is finally coming to an end.

“I’m proud of my team,” said Rico. “This was a collective effort from everyone and we are excited to see it expand in the new future.”