Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany -- Members of the base, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense Education Activity educators and local government and construction officials participated in a ground breaking ceremony at the future site of the Spangdahlem Middle/High School March 16, 2017.
Although construction on the school was already underway, the ceremony was an opportunity to come together and recognize all of the organizations responsible for the project, which is the final stage in a multi-year commitment to consolidate 52nd Fighter Wing assets to Spangdahlem and return Bitburg Air Base to the host nation.
“There was an immense amount of partnership over the last 10 years that made this project a reality,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Adam Gorzkowski, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron deputy engineering flight commander. “The German Government purchased this land for Spangdahlem Air Base at zero cost to the U.S. government.”
The estimated completion date for the school is summer of 2019, at which point it will be turned over to the DoDEA to furnish and prepare the facility for its first semester of students.
The school is the latest in a series of construction projects aimed at increasing quality of life as well as accommodating for the expected influx of personnel as a result of the European Infrastructure Consolidation.
“Our new medical clinic, Base Exchange, and fitness center were all completed in the last five years. Our most recent addition to this expansion is our Commissary, which was completed just last year, on time and on budget,” said Gorzkowski. “Our close partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as well as the German Government Construction Agency has enabled us to build these brand new community support facilities.”