Chaplain (Col.) David Moran, Chaplain (Col.) Dennis Newton, Col. James Muskopf, garrison commander, Maj. Gen. Anthony G. Crutchfield, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commanding general, retired Chaplain (Col.) Steve Cook, and ...

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Fort Rucker's Wings Chapel opened during a ribbon cutting ceremony April 25 as a crowd gathered eager to view the inside of the new chapel.

"This is a place Aviators, Soldiers and their Families, civilians, the Fort Rucker community and others will be able to worship God, according to the dictates of their hearts," said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Mickey Jett.

The first worship service is 11 a.m. May 1 at the new chapel. It will be a combination of all services followed by fellowship, including children activities, food and beverages.

"The aesthetics of the building are beautiful, but it will not nearly be as beautiful until you see the people who fill the pews," said Maj. Gen. Anthony G. Crutchfield, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commanding general. "That is what will make this chapel beautiful, brick and mortar do not - it will be beautiful when the people are inside worshipping their faith."

Additional services, including Tuesday morning Protestant Women of the Chapel and Wednesday night worship, will be at the new chapel.

The new chapel is 22,600 square feet and can accommodate more than 600 visitors. It was built for the purpose of housing the contemporary service, which was busting at the seams at the headquarters chapel, said Chaplain (Maj.) Mark Mitera, B. Company, 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment, garrison chaplain's office.

The worship center holds 400 people with an activity center and overflow area that can hold 200 additional people. The chapel has the capability of worship services and provides additional rooms for Sunday school.

"It's like a one-stop shopping center for religious activities," said Mitera.

Other additions are the new stand-alone sound and video system, two giant folding partition walls to separate or combine rooms, digital projectors, the ability to combine sound systems, and feed live video for overflow of the worship center and two multi-purpose rooms.

"I have had the opportunity to see this site transform from red, muddy Alabama clay to the beautiful facility we have here today," said Mitera. "This is a joyful occasion and marks an exciting time as we begin our ministry to the Fort Rucker community.

"Wings chapel was designed and built by the hands of man. It's ultimately God who is the architect and builder of our faith," he continued. "May this new facility be a reminder of the higher calling that God has given to us as we exercise our faith and that we may use Wings Chapel for his glory."