The 325th Air Control Squadron at Tyndall AFB, Fla., unveiled its newest building, the Air Control Squadron Operations Training Complex, with an official ribbon cutting ceremony. The $8.5 million, energy-efficient facility offers approximately 36,000 square feet of space. “It combines two out-of-date existing buildings into one,” said Capt. Bryan Minatel, 325th chief of current operations. He added, “It houses five operations rooms used for live and simulation events, totaling 18 classrooms that will be used for briefings, lectures, and debriefings.” In addition, the complex features a 195-seat auditorium with state-of-the-art presentation equipment and numerous offices. “We are now able to produce a better product for the Air Force”—new air battle managers, said Minatel. Tyndall officials broke ground on the building in October 2009. The opening ceremony took place on Jan. 26. (Tyndall report by SrA. Rachelle Elsea)
The Air Force overall reduced its size by 120 aircraft in fiscal year 2021, but kept about the same number of fighter, bomber and attack aircraft, according to data supplied by the service. The F-35 fleet saw the biggest increase while the B-1B bomber fleet saw the largest decline.