FOR LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Nov. 20, 2014) -- Fort Leonard Wood, broke ground signaling the start of construction on a $3.5-million simulator building, Nov. 13.
The 9,588-square-foot, one-story building with brick veneer will house non-motion weapons simulators to aid in the training of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who train on the installation.
Dave Wiseman, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security training support officer, said the new facility will help to consolidate simulator assets while increasing Soldier-class flow and maximizing training potential.
"This is a much-needed upgrade, 40 lanes or eight systems of (Engagement Skills Trainer), will be in this one facility," Wiseman said.
"(It will) improve energy efficiencies and reduce travel time for Soldiers," Wiseman noted.
"This building will make a difference," said Maj. Gen. Leslie Smith, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general. "Since the first time I was here (2005), we've increased our Engagement Skills Trainer capabilities at least two-fold."
Wiseman said that, currently, Fort Leonard Wood has 140 lanes of EST where everything from a 9mm pistol to a Mark 19 can be fired.
Upon its scheduled completion in November 2015, the facility will support training for approximately 35,000 Soldiers attending basic training and advanced individual training, along with other post units.
Smith noted that having facilities such as the one being built will help keep the forces ready by supplementing training during inclement weather conditions and providing different training scenarios from various parts of the world.
"Soldiers won't have to go downrange to get ready to fire to get their skills up, when they need to execute," Smith said.
Participating in the ceremony with Smith and Wiseman were Command Sgt. Maj. Terrence Murphy, MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood command sergeant major; Col. Andrew Herbst, Garrison commander; Jesse Vance, Missouri Area Office, Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers area engineer; Bobby Rakes, Directorate of Public Works director; and David Ruggles, Zieson Construction Company senior project manager.
Social Sharing