Building openings signify Reserve's impact on Nellis

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jessica Martin
  • 926th Group public affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  The U.S. Air Force Reserve's 926th Group celebrated the opening of its new facilities with a ribbon cutting ceremony here January 8.

The renovation of two dormitory buildings behind the base's satellite pharmacy was a $14.5 million project. PW Construction Inc., based out of California, employed local Las Vegas contractors to complete the two-year venture.

"These facilities provide key capability for, and establish the Air Force Reserve Command as a full partner in accomplishing the mission of the United States Air Force Warfare Center and Team Nellis," said Col. Herman Brunke, 926th Group commander. "This dedication ceremony is a very important benchmark, resulting from years of work committed to developing and strengthening a relationship based on understanding, respect and interoperability between the Regular Air Force and Reserve at Nellis and Creech Air Force bases," he said.

Group personnel had previously been working out of offices scattered across the base, and the consolidation makes completing the mission much more efficient. "The Reserve's presence and participation will continue to grow rapidly on Nellis and Creech; in direct response to mission area growth directly supporting all warfighters in Air, Space and Cyberspace," said Colonel Brunke.

The 926th GP is currently made up of more than 300 people, many working in a full-time capacity, and is planned to grow to 561 by 2013. The group consists of a medical flight and mission support, flying, and maintenance squadrons at Nellis AFB, and a reconnaissance squadron operating Predator and Reaper aircraft at Creech AFB. Additionally, the group operates a space aggressor squadron at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., a test and evaluation squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and an Air Operations Center support detachment at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Through the Air Force's Total Force Integration initiative, personnel are integrated into RegAF operations, working side by side their RegAF counterparts on a daily basis.