Construction comes to campus at the I.G. Brown TEC

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
  • I.G. Brown Training and Education Center
MCGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Tenn. --  With a buzz, rumble and clang of construction noise, the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center's project here for a new facility became apparent this week, with only a few days' work now altering the entire campus.

The I.G. Brown Training and Education Center officially broke ground August 14 on a new 46,871 square-foot mixed-use facility.

The campus expansion supports the center's record enrollment numbers and its growing volume in enlisted professional military education and professional continuing education, said officials.

From the rendering of the building it looks like a fabulous facility, said Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, director of the Air National Guard during the groundbreaking ceremony.

"I always believed that world-class people, world class organizations should have world-class facilities in which to do things," said Clarke.

The new facility will provide 10 20-person and two 100-person classrooms. Each larger classroom can be broken down into three smaller meeting spaces. Their design also allows for addition of the campus's high-definition camera system.

The dormitory buildings add 97 single-occupancy dorm rooms to the campus's current capacity of 393-beds, or 243 rooms.

At this point, orange fencing now cuts off familiar access points to the inner campus areas, as it weaves past the classroom building and the dormitory buildings. Some student-flight monuments are relocated, and the large pine tree many may recall from their stays here was knocked down.

Howard W. Pence Inc., the general contractor, is building the facility.
Officials estimated two years for its completion.

C2RL Inc. designed the facility along with Elizabeth Eason Architecture LLC and the Engineering Services Group Inc.

When completed, the new facility will be surrounded by the campus's current buildings, which were constructed in a phased project, between 1988 and 1992.

Officials said that the modern-style glass and metal exterior features will serve as a focal point as well as will help to better identify TEC's vision as a "schoolhouse of tomorrow."

"It will truly be the jewel in our crown," said Col. Jessica Meyeraan, TEC commander, during the groundbreaking ceremony.

Meyeraan said that the facility's capabilities would enhance the TEC's education efforts in many ways, including some enhancements unrealized.

"When we think about how it will enable us going forward ... we are going to be that full-fledged force that will bring the Air Force to the next level in training and education," said Meyeraan.

Not as noticeable in the addition will be some environmental enhancements.

Officials plan to submit the project for "Silver" certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), which is a nationally accepted benchmark for green buildings.