FORT BRAGG, N.C.(USASOC News Service, Jan. 9, 2012) -- At a Dec. 15 ceremony at Patriot Point in south Fort Bragg, grounds were broken for the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne) new facilities since the brigade was established in 2006.
The 57,800 square-foot, brick veneer building will house a battalion headquarters and all of its companies, including offices, classrooms, and secure areas for arms rooms, communications equipment, and mission planning activities.
The $12.3 million project is the first of seven projects for the brigade to be constructed over the next five years. The projects will consolidate all of the brigade personnel and equipment into 600 acres of Patriot Point. The brigade's headquarters and five battalions are currently spread over seven temporary locations on Fort Bragg.
"It's been a long time coming," said Col. Jay Wolff, commander of the 95th CA Bde (A), in his remarks at the ceremony.
"Seventeen years ago, when I started in this business, there was one small active duty battalion," he said. "Over the last eight years, we've existed in about 27 different facilities as we've shifted elements from World War II wood to the mod village (prefab temporary buildings) that was built for the 4th Brigade Combat Team on Fort Bragg, to the new Special Operations Forces interim facilities behind the new post exchange. We still have a battalion in World War II wood and our brigade is spread across Fort Bragg.
"Bringing the new brigade together is really critical to our ability to function as a brigade, to be able to interact, like a unit should be able to interact," Wolff commented.
"I look forward to a facility that represents the quality of the Soldiers we have in this Brigade," he said. "I want to thank all those that made this day possible… the USASOC DCSENG [U.S. Army Special Operations Command Deputy Chief of Staff for Engineering] staff, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Caddell Construction… for work you've done and the work we are going to do as we work hard to make sure this facility is a reflection of the quality of our Soldiers."
According to Lt. Col. Charlie Pelham, deputy commander for the USACE Wilmington District, the project is the first of five brigade projects and will also serve as a model for other USASOC projects at Patriot Point, also being managed by the Wilmington District.
Construction for the brigade project was delayed when large amounts of buried debris and dunnage were uncovered at the former Fort Bragg ammunition supply point during the pre-construction phase. Design and construction plans had to be modified, and certain facilities had to be resituated elsewhere in the project area.
"We're looking forward to getting this project complete," Pelham said.
"Our focus for the next 15 months is to deliver a building that is not only functional for your needs but one you can be proud of," said Caddell Construction's project manager Mr. Andrew Thomason. "Our goal is to have a safe project and to deliver it on or ahead of schedule."
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