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NEWS | Oct. 30, 2012

Better living at JBLE: Langley renovates residence halls

By Airman 1st Class R. Alex Durbin 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Since its founding in 1916, Langley Air Force Base has undergone many changes. With the capacity to house more than 1,000 residents, the dorms are a key component of the base, and are the focus of many renovations.

The 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron Dorm Management office was recently awarded $819,000 in funding to update dorm-room and day-room furniture that has exceeded the recommended lifespan. The updated furniture is slated to arrive in January 2013, and will replace out-dated furniture in nearly 900 dorm rooms and the day rooms in each building. This sheds light on the importance Langley leadership places on constant improvements to first-term Airmen housing.

"We owe it to our Airmen to provide the highest quality living standards we can," said Lt. Col. Dee Jay Katzer, 633rd CES commander. "Everyone desires and deserves a comfortable place to live and call home - our Airmen are no exception."

As testament to this fact, five dorms have been built within the last 10 years to accommodate incoming Airmen, and to ensure they have the highest standards of living possible. Also, the addition of modern amenities keeps the dorms current and relevant when compared to similar off-base accommodations, said Katzer.

"Only by making improvements and modernizing the dorms, can we provide living spaces that Airmen are proud of," said Katzer. "In turn, this improves Airmen's quality of life."

The following comprehensive list details recent and upcoming renovations to the dorms around Langley:

Airey Hall
Constructed in 2002, Airey Hall houses 96 Airmen from the 633rd Force Support Squadron, 633rd Medical Support Group and 633rd Contracting Squadron. All 96 rooms are set to be outfitted with new mattresses and trash cans in conjunction with the furniture grant. Airey is also scheduled to receive new sofas, lounge chairs and other amenities to its three day rooms.

Barnes Hall
Constructed in 2003, Barnes Hall houses 96 Airmen at full capacity. 46 rooms are scheduled to receive new mattresses, while all 96 rooms will be issued new trashcans. The day rooms are set to receive new sofas, chairs and other furnishings to replace outdated amenities.

Boots Hall
Formally a temporary residence building, Boots Hall was converted into housing October 2011 and can hold 127 Airmen at full capacity. As well as updating day-room amenities, 633rd CES plans to install communal kitchens on each floor without one, and update the existing kitchen equipment on the first floor.

Cunningham Hall
Constructed in 2003, Cunningham Hall can house 96 Airmen at full capacity, and is used primarily as dorms for the 633rd Security Forces Squadron. All 96 rooms are scheduled to receive new mattresses and trashcans. Like Barnes Hall, Cunningham will receive updated day room furniture.

Eberflus Hall
Constructed in 1968, and modernized in 1985, Eberflus Hall can hold 71 Airmen, and is primarily used as a 633rd Logistics Readiness Squadron dorm. 633rd CES recently contracted a civilian contracting company to replace Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning fan coils in all 71 rooms. The project cost $795,000 and was completed in September. In conjunction with the furnishing grant, the day rooms will be updated with new furniture, and each room will be outfitted with a new mattress and trash can.

Jordan Hall
Constructed in 1969 and modernized in 1985, Jordan Hall can hold 71 Airmen, and is primarily used as a dorm for the 735th Supply Chain Operations Group.633rd CES recently contracted a civilian contracting company to replace HVAC fan coils in all 71 rooms. The project cost $795,000 and was completed in September. In conjunction with the furnishing grant, the day rooms will be updated with new furniture, and each room will be outfitted with a new mattress and trash can.

Olsavsky Hall
Constructed in 1989, Olsavsky Hall can house 148 Airmen, and is scheduled to be used primarily as a 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing dorm. It is currently undergoing renovations that began January 2012. The renovations cost $1.5 million and include installing a kitchen in the third-floor day room, installing new HVAC fan coils, renovating bathrooms and other structural repairs. Olsavsky Hall will receive a full set of updated bedroom furniture, to include a bed, desk, night stand and other various furnishings as part of the furniture grant. The hall's day rooms will also be outfitted with updated furniture.

Pitsenbarger Hall
Constructed in 2002, Pitsenbarger Hall can house 96 Airmen at full capacity, and is primarily used a dorm for the 633rd CES, 633rd Mission Support Group, 1st Operations Group and 36th Intelligence Squadron. All 96 rooms are scheduled to receive new mattresses and trashcans and like Barnes Hall, Pitsenbarger will receive updated day room furniture.

Renna Hall
Constructed in 1989, Renna Hall can house 148 Airmen at full capacity, and is planned to be used primarily as a 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing dorm. It is scheduled to undergo renovations in the near future. The renovations cost $2.1 million, and will include installing a kitchen in the third-floor day room, installing new HVAC fan coils, renovating bathrooms and other structural repairs. Renna Hall will receive a full set of updated bedroom furniture, including a bed, desk, night stand and other various furnishings as part of the furniture grant. The hall's day rooms will also be outfitted with updated furniture.

Tunnell Hall
Built in 1969, Tunnell Hall houses 71 Airmen at full capacity, and is primarily used an 83rd Network Operations Squadron dorm. Renovations costing $532,000 are underway, and are set to replace HVAC fan coils in each room. With the furniture grant, the day rooms on each floor are set to be furnished with updated amenities, and each room will be outfitted with a new mattress and trashcan.

Williams Hall
Constructed in 2010, Williams Hall is the newest dorm built at Langley AFB. At full capacity, it can hold 72 Airmen, and is primarily used to house 633rd MDG Airmen. Due to the age of Williams Hall, no renovations are currently planned.

Due to the current economic climate, there are currently no plans to add any new dorm buildings at Langley AFB. Decisions to build new dorm building are decided at an Air Force wide level, and are focused on instillations with the most need.

Although there are new construction projects planned, Katzer said it is important to keep renovation projects moving forward to prevent dorms from reaching a state of disrepair.

"We must constantly strive to do the best for our best," he said.