CAVALIER AIR FORCE STATION, N.D. -- The 10th Space Warning Squadron held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 3, 2018 at Cavalier Air Force Station, North Dakota to celebrate the new $3 million, eight-person, 5,700-square-foot unaccompanied Airmen dormitory. Holding the giant ceremonial scissors were Col. Devin Pepper, 21st Operations Group commander, Lt. Col. Stephen Hobbs, 10th SWS commander, Chief Master Sgt. Rodolfo Gamez, 21st OG superintendent, and Senior Master Sgt. Karmann-Monique Pogue, 10th SWS superintendent.
Cavalier AFS is home to the 10th SWS and is located 15 miles south of the Canadian border. Cavalier AFS is the U.S. Air Force’s only continental U.S. isolated installation. 10th SWS consists of 33 Airmen, two Royal Canadian Air Force members, five civilians, and 96 contractors who provide missile warning to defend our homeland, and space situational awareness to enable space combat operations. These missions are performed 24/7/365, utilizing the one-of-a-kind, $1.6 billion AN/FPQ-16 Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS).
When Airmen receive orders to Cavalier AFS, they have the option to come with their dependents for 24 months or unaccompanied for 15 months. Those who come unaccompanied live in the unaccompanied Airmen dormitory, a structure that was originally designed to be a temporary housing option in the early 1970s.
“The new facility replaces the 45-year-old temporary dormitory,” said Hobbs. “This new dorm will provide a significant quality of life improvement for our unaccompanied Airmen, both officer and enlisted, who are serving at the Air Force’s only CONUS isolated installation.”
“The new dormitory was a massive technical, environmental and safety improvement for the base,” said Capt. Joseph Matejcik, 10th SWS Mission Support flight commander. “All of our Airmen just upgraded from a 1970s era trailer to a brand-new modern day apartment. The new dorm provides state-of-the-art amenities that were not available in the old dormitory. The new dormitory also provides low-cost energy savings on utilities for the Air Force.”
To heighten the living conditions, the new dormitory offers numerous features to include a full kitchen, dining and living room areas, and high-end cabinet and countertop finishes equivalent to new off-base apartments in addition to the comforts found inside the dormitory rooms, the facility comes with a community room and laundry room.
“This is a great day for the men and women of the 10th SWS and I am honored to be a part of this momentous occasion,” said Pepper, who traveled from Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, to visit with Cavalier AFS members and celebrate the dormitory opening.
Pogue is a dormitory resident serving her unaccompanied tour at Cavalier AFS. “This was a big win for our Airmen” said Pogue. “We are excited about this amazing quality-of-life upgrade that will benefit the Airmen of Cavalier AFS for years to come!”