Cavalier breaks ground on new dorm

CAVALIER AIR FORCE STATION, N.D. -- Participating in the ground breaking ceremony for the new, $3 million dormitories, Nov. 7, 2017 at Cavalier Air Force Station, N.D., from left-to-right, Craig Tweten, Community Contractors; Lt. Col. Marc Brock, 21st Operations Group deputy commander; Lt. Col. Stephen Hobbs, 10th Space Warning Squadron commander; Chief Master Sgt. David Pesch, 21st Operations Group command chief; and Mr. Bruce Johnson, Army Corps of Engineers. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt Wayne Gibson)

Published Dec. 4, 2017
By Tech. Sgt. Shawn Thompson
10th Space Warning Squadron

CAVALIER AIR FORCE STATION, N.D. -- The 10th Space Warning Squadron held a ground breaking ceremony November 7, 2017 at Cavalier Air Force Station, North Dakota to celebrate the start of construction on a new 5,683-square-foot unaccompanied dormitory.

The current dorm on Cavalier AFS was the second structure completed on the site in the early 1970s. While it has gone through renovations over the years, it was in need of replacement. The new dorm will alleviate many maintenance and potential safety issues, significantly improving the living conditions for dorm residents.

“As the Air Forces only Continental United States isolated installation, life at Cavalier AFS can be arduous at times for our members,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Hobbs, 10th SWS commander. “Improving the quality of life for all of our members and families is one of our top priorities.”

The $3 million dormitory will accommodate up to eight unaccompanied Airman when finished. Construction costs at Cavalier are impacted by the remote nature of the station and the fact that some construction materials need to be transported more than 90 miles.

“This dormitory will be a massive technical, environmental and safety improvement for the station,” said Capt. Victor Guinn, 10th SWS mission support officer. “All residents will experience an upgrade that is the equivalent of going from a 1970's trailer, to a modest and comfortable modern apartment."

“I look forward to seeing it get completed and become a lasting fixture on Cavalier Air Force Station,” said Hobbs.

The new dorms are scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2018.