MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- The 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron recently opened the newly renovated alert facility kitchen on Sept. 23, 2022.
“The kitchen renovation is important to help ease the burden on [our] force support squadron by using the alert kitchen during flying operations, nuclear operational readiness inspections and other exercises,” said 1st Lt. Houston Anderson, 22nd CES officer in charge of expeditionary engineering and project facilitator. “The improvements grant individuals in the alert facility the functionality [to] prepare and store their food. A microwave was the only food preparation appliance available in the area before the renovation. In many situations, members must stay within the alert facility’s boundaries and this break room for multiple days.”
The 22nd FSS will primarily use the new kitchen as a service area for participants and operators during real-world mission sets and exercises. Operators can also capitalize on the space for food preparation and recuperation.
By having 22nd CES Airmen complete the renovations, the squadron saved $10,000, with a total of around $20,000. Doing this also allowed them to save time and accomplish the task more quickly. Due to the historic nature of the building, the renovations had to follow strict and specific rules.
The design process for the new kitchen started in the spring, but the renovations didn’t begin until Sept. 6, 2022. The team finished the kitchen on Sept. 23, 2022, just in time for McConnell’s airshow, were essential workers and some of the performers were able to use it.
The new kitchen includes new countertops and backsplash, a deeper kitchen sink, a refrigerator, a residential stove, and a hood. Some items from the previous design, such as the ice machine and food warmer, were moved to different locations to improve function and flow within the space. The team also built a threshold to separate the kitchen from the recreational room, brought in two stainless-steel tables, patched and repainted walls, re-finished cabinets and replaced hardware. Finally, electricians laid over 400 feet of electrical lines to run the new appliances and reconfigured existing electrical circuits and lighting.
“This project was one of the rare moments where civil engineering got to really shine,” said Tech. Sgt. William Lloyd, 22nd CES non-commissioned officer in charge of structures and project facilitator. “A problem was raised, solutions were deliberated and everyone came together to make the mission happen and meet deadlines in the end.”