The funding from U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and U.S. Army will go towards investments to bring buildings on Fort Rucker up to current code and address life, health and safety issues facing the installation.

“We’ve had the biggest award this year of construction projects that we’ve had in recent memory,” said Joseph Wyka, Fort Rucker Directorate of Public Works director in an Army article. “We’re starting to see Army investment on a larger scale, which is great, and it’s important that we seize that opportunity and use that money in the best ways that we can.”

Wyka says that many of the buildings on the base date back to the 1960s and 1970s, some from the 40s. Upgrades include: improve heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in facilities; improve fire prevention and sprinkler systems; improve electrical systems redundancy; and an airfield repaving.

“It’s an exciting time at Fort Rucker – being able to double our construction program means better infrastructure for everyone to use,” Wyka said. “The Corps of Engineers Mobile District supports us, and they’ve indicated they’ll probably be hiring new personnel to keep up with the new projects. This is the biggest program they’ve seen here in at least a decade.”

Photo by Holly Sterling