For the first time since the 1980s, Red River Army Depot officials broke ground on a new facility on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
The Maneuver Systems Sustainment Center (MSSC) is a 377,000 square foot facility which will incorporate major functions required for remanufacture of vehicles.
On hand for the ceremony were Depot Commander Col. Daniel G. Mitchell; U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command Deputy Commanding General Jack Dugan and Ft. Worth Corps of Engineer Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Matthew S. Orenstein.
"To have a facility that is of this scope and magnitude that is gleaned and designed so that you can do all the work that you need to do on a combat vehicle in one building will continue to allow us to produce the vehicle for much less cost and higher quality," said Mitchell.
The three phase project is funded by the Military Construction and Veterans Appropriations Bill. The groundbreaking ceremony was for phase two of the facility.
U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison announced Sept. 27 the passage of the Fiscal Year 2009 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations bill with a vote of 78-12. The bill, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush Sept. 30, includes $6.9M for FY09 funds to construct Phase one of this project.
"A facility like this is another attribute to the great workforce here at Red River who has won numerous Shingo awards," said Dugan. "This center is another tool in your tool bag for you to continue to be a provider of choice."
Phase two of the MSSC consists of two buildings designated to house paint and preparation operations as well as surface preparation and cleaning. This phase is 58,363 square feet with a contract awarded for $10 million. Phase one is the tactical vehicle body repair shop totaling 26,431 square feet with an estimated cost of $6.9 million. The final phase of the project consists of five buildings equaling 292,494 square feet and is designated for tactical vehicle disassembly, cleaning, shipping preparations, assembly, engine rebuild and fuel tanker testing.
The third phase includes the demolition of four buildings and the construction of a parking lot. Phase one and two both include the demolition of two buildings per phase.
During the ceremony Orenstein recalled seeing the Soldier silhouettes which read "Building it as if our lives depend on it - Theirs do!"
"I can see that in the workforce," he said. "I see the passion in the workforce and see the dedicated leadership here as well."
The project is set for completion in 2013.
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