Congresswoman Hartzler breaks ground for new operations building

  • Published
  • By Airman Parker J. McCauley
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

           Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler participated in a ground-breaking ceremony for a new operations building on Feb. 22, 2019 at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.

            The new building is a physical step toward increasing total-force cohesion between the 509th Operations Group and their National Guard counterparts, the 131st Operations Group.

            The ceremony began with Master Sgt Daniel Gutierrez, (engineering flight superintendent)the narrator for the ceremony assigned to the 509th Civil Engineer Squadron, highlighting the importance of the building. Following the introduction, Hartzler addressed Team Whiteman.

            “Congratulations to all of you, for all the good work you have done here and continue to do to keep our nation safe,” said Hartzler. “I’m so, so proud of Team Whiteman and the critical mission that you fulfill in this nation and in this world. People like me sleep sounder at night knowing that you are here being ever vigilant and that you are ready to go.”

            She added that the project has been in the works for years, since she was elected, due to a need for consolidation for the 509th and 131st OG.

            After her speech, Hartzler led the ceremony, joined by Brig. Gen. John J. Nichols, the 509th Bomb Wing commander, Col. Ken Eaves, the 131st Bomb Wing commander, U.S. Army Col. Doug Guttormsen, the commander of the Kansas City District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kendall Nugent, the deputy commander of the 509th Mission Support Group, and Michael Eidson, Federal Division Operations manager.

            The ground-breaking marked the beginning of construction on the 80,000 square foot facility

Her visit also included meeting with leadership from the 509th and 131st Bomb Wings prior to the ceremony and with the 442nd Fighter Wing immediately afterwards.

            Before the ceremony Hartzler toured the Commissary and Base Exchange to discuss upgrades for them.

            She also visited Whiteman Elementary where she read “The Mouse that went to the Capitol” to the students.