Maryland Army National Guard Breaks Ground on New Facility

^{By Capt. Ben Hughes}

HAVRE DE GRACE, Md. – The Maryland Army National Guard celebrated the groundbreaking for a new $35.5 million facility with The Maryland Department of General Services at the Havre de Grace Military Reservation today.

Construction of the 62,000-square-foot Combined Support Maintenance Shop and additional 6,000-square-foot detached storage building will begin this fall.

The new buildings will replace four existing structures built in 1924 and are expected to achieve certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED Silver status upon completion.

“After 100 years, it will be turned into this maintenance facility that we desperately need and our Soldiers will look forward to using,” said U. S. Army Brig. Gen. Janeen L. Birckhead, commander of the Maryland Army National Guard, during her remarks. “With a tactical ground fleet of 900 vehicles, our new facility allows us to keep pace with Army modernization.”

Up to 60 full-time staff, who provide higher level maintenance support to all Maryland Army National Guard units, will work at the facility. They support the entire fleet of military vehicles and trailers for MDARNG in addition to the inspection and maintenance of all weapons, technical equipment, and fabrication work.

The Combined Support Maintenance Shop will be constructed on a 11-acre parcel of the 75-acre military reservation. The Maryland Department of General Services is responsible for contract administration and construction execution.

“We can now support Maryland more efficiently and effectively,” said Birckhead. “Maintenance is key to being always ready and always there.”