EDGEWOOD, Md., - Gov. Martin O'Malley helped break ground on a $22.6 million addition to the Maryland National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility during a ceremony here May 22.
The contract was awarded to Tetra Tech Facilities Construction of Alexandria, Va., for the design and construction of the additional 90,000 square feet and the renovation of the existing 50,000-square-foot AASF.
"This project will not only give our Soldiers a state-of-the-art facility to work in, it will help bring jobs to Maryland," said O'Malley. "The security of the homeland is the responsibility of every generation, and I am so proud of the Maryland National Guard and all they have done both overseas and here at home."
The project includes renovating and expanding the existing hangar, building additional administrative areas, equipment storage areas, classrooms, a physical fitness area and modernized shops to support Army aviation and maintenance. The estimated completion date of the project is in the spring of 2012.
The keynote speaker was Army Brig. Gen. Alberto J. Jimenez, commander of the Maryland Army National Guard and senior aviator in the Guard.
Jimenez discussed how he has seen the transformation of Army aviation over the years.
"The aircraft we fly today are larger and more complicated and require highly skilled Soldiers to maintain," he said. "This is the home of aviation for the Maryland Army National Guard, and this facility is transforming to meet our needs today and for tomorrow."
Since 9/11, more than 8,600 Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen have been called to serve on active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and a wide range of natural disaster recovery efforts.
The Maryland Military Department employs more than 7,100 full-time and traditional Guard members and civilian state employees, contributing more than $317 million annually to Maryland's economy.