Fort Leonard Wood breaks ground on new AIT complex

By Mrs. Melissa K. Buckley (Leonard Wood)August 28, 2014

A groundbreaking ceremony for a new Advanced Individual Training Complex officially set construction in motion Aug. 19.

The new, five-story barracks building, dining facility and running track will sit between Cooley and Oklahoma avenues, near Training Area 120.

This $85-million project will also include an 11,000-square-foot battalion headquarters.

The complex will house approximately 600 Soldiers.

"The 84th Chemical Battalion is currently scheduled to utilize the complex upon completion," said Kyle Henry, Directorate of Public Works construction engineer.

Maj. Gen. Leslie Smith, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, served as the guest speaker for the groundbreaking.

"Thank you, DPW; thank you, Garrison; thank you, builders; thank you to everybody who put things into place to make this happen," Smith said.

"This will be the first-class facilities that our men and women deserve," Smith added.

The construction project is slated to take approximately two years.

"Part of the Army's theme is military expertise," Smith said. "To have these facilities will not only help with military expertise but espirit de corps."

Related Links:

Fort Leonard Wood GUIDON Newspaper

Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood