Laughlin Air Force, Texas -- A step toward a cure for a decades-long drainage problem was taken Feb. 16 when the local community celebrated the beginning of a three-phase construction project.
The project was highlighted by the fact that members of the Military Affairs Association and local leaders advocated on behalf of Laughlin to get the project funded.
“Our community members were upset their base was flooding,” said Col. Thomas Shank, 47th Flying Training Wing commander.
So, community members engaged with Air Force and elected leaders to get the $13 million project funded during tight budgetary times.
The most recent major rain event in the base’s history was Aug. 23-24, 1998 when rain covered the entire airfield, causing students to go on Temporary Duty assignments to other bases to graduate on time. The Flood of ’98 wasn’t the only rain challenge, pilot training is consistently interrupted by flight line flooding, despite the low rainfall in Southwest Texas.
This project scheduled to be finished in early 2017. “This project will replace 2,100 feet of 1950’s era water piping to reroute rain waters away from choke points,” said Lt. Col. Tammie Harris, 47th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. The project is scheduled to be finished in early 2017.
This is one of several projects that the local community has taken up on the base’s behalf, including a Grow Your Own program and helping the base gain $4.8 million from Texas for a new gate.
The community and their local congressman agree. “Laughlin Air Force Base is the engine that drives the Southwest Texas economy, and I will work with this community and the military leaders, and we’ll do everything we can to protect the Air Force’s premier pilot training base,” said Rep. Will Hurd, Texas 23rd District congressman.