New center aimed at education

Published June 14, 2011
By Monica Mendoza
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The grand opening of the Peterson Force Development Center, at the corner of Stewart Avenue and Vincent Street, creates a college campus feel that puts training and education offices in one square block.

Airmen and civilians gathered June 10 for the official grand opening of the force development center, which is colocated in Building 1171 with the base library. It also sits right next to educational services, the Airman Leadership School and Peterson dormitories.

"What we've done is develop a learning campus," said John Brewer, Force Development Education and Training chief. "By putting them all over here, obviously we have some synergy."

Programs at the force development center have long been a source for continued education and training for Airmen and civilians. The new center is home to civilian formal training, which includes a library of more than 100 titles to be checked out by personnel to provide free training. Peterson personnel also will find base training, the career assistant advisor and military formal training inside the center along with the professional development center.

The force development center also features a computer lab and university representatives for those pursuing college degrees.

Programs in the force development center were previously housed at Building 350. But, it was a more natural fit to colocate the training programs with the library and other professional development and training programs on Peterson AFB, said Col. Jeffrey Flewelling, 21st Space Wing vice commander, who provided remarks at the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"I can't wait to get inside this new building," he said. "This one central facility will create a nice campus feel."

Colonel Flewelling encouraged all Airmen and civilians to use the programs and training offered at the force development center, the base library and education services.

"You will hear that you are the future leaders of the Air Force," he said to a group of Airmen currently enrolled in the First Term Airman Center who were in attendance at the ceremony. "I'm here to tell you that you are not the future leaders, you are leaders right now. This center is for you - to hone your leadership skills."

Force development center opens