National Guard Bureau officials have dedicated Sheppard Hall, the new $52 million addition to the Air National Guard Readiness Center at JB Andrews, Md. The addition, named after retired Maj. Gen. Donald Sheppard, former ANG director, includes administrative offices for the ANG directorate and a fitness center. The new office space allows all ANG directorate staff to be united under one roof. Previously some staff worked out of a building in Crystal City, Va. The united location at Andrews also provides enhanced force protection measures for the entire directorate staff, which was required by BRAC 2005. The addition also features an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient design, including a roof that absorbs rainwater and provides insulation. The dedication ceremony took place Sept. 24. (Andrews report by TSgt. John Orrell)
The Air Force has finished modifying and testing the new VC-25B Bridge aircraft that will serve as a temporary Air Force One, the service announced May 1. All that’s left now is to finish painting the jet before it starts flying this summer.