New 3rd Herd building will allow progress Published Nov. 20, 2008 By Brandice J. Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- The 3rd Combat Communications Group's mantra "Anytime, anywhere" holds new meaning for one of its units -- the 31st Combat Communications Squadron. In late October, the 31st CCS officially opened Bldg. 7017, its new 30,140 square-foot facility. Equipped with three large bays and enough space to comfortably house approximately 120 members, the squadron is better able to meet its mission. "The 31st CCS will have almost all of its Airmen and equipment under one roof," said Lt. Col. Alan Berry, 3rd CCG deputy commander. "That is an extension of trust from the Air Force and the American people, and we intend to repay that trust producing the best trained and equipped combat-ready Airmen that we can." Maj. Jacqueline Meyer, 31st CCS commander, agreed. "This building is going to help us do our job a lot faster and support any kind of mission -- whether it is a humanitarian or disaster-response mission," said Major Meyer. "That's what we're all about, how fast can we pack up our stuff, load it on our trucks and get it out of here." When called upon, the major said it's her unit's job to palletize a load of equipment for a road convoy or an airlift. Prior to the completion of Bldg. 7017, Airmen loaded trucks manually by lifting equipment from one of two shelves and hoisting it on a truck. And, trucks were loaded outside, regardless of the weather. With the new building, trucks can be loaded inside, and by an automated stacker system. Using a method similar to that found in warehouses or wholesale stores, the stacker -- maneuvered by controls -- will lift itself to a desired height to retrieve necessary gear. Equipment is now stored on one of four vertical shelves. The idea for Bldg. 7017 was first conceived in 1989. Then, it was estimated to be a $4-million Department of Defense's Military Construction Program, meaning, Congress approved the project and provided the funds to pay for the facility. In 2005, plans were finalized and the building would ultimately cost $11.8 million. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Tulsa District designed the facility and McMaster Construction of Oklahoma City built it.