Officials at Minot AFB, N.D., opened the base’s fourth new dormitory with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, according to a base release. Dorm 214, which will be living quarters for 168 airmen, “serves as a reminder of our dedication to caring for our airmen and ensuring an improved quality of life at Minot,” said Lt. Col. Douglas Gilpin, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, in the Oct. 28 release. The dorm opened its doors on Oct. 23. The $21 million dorm features 42 four-person unit modules, each containing private bathrooms and baths, along with a shared living room, kitchen, washer, dryer, full-size refrigerator, cook top, and microwave, according to the release. In contrast, the previous dorms provided limited shared space and only one kitchen and laundry facility for an entire building, states the release. Minot plans to renovate six dormitories by the end of 2020, states the release. (Minot report by SrA. Jose L. Hernandez)
The Space Force is finalizing its first contracts for the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve and plans to award them early in 2025—giving the service access to commercial satellites and other space systems in times of conflict or crisis—officials said Nov. 21.