Guard, community leaders kick off construction on Md. Guard readiness centers
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_images_carousel images=”1911,1910,1909,1908,1907,1906″ img_size=”full” css_animation=”fadeIn”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1500573793422{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]
Photos by Staff Sgt. Thaddeus Harrington, Maryland National Guard Public Affairs Office
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1500573744506{margin-top: 1px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 1px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”]By Sgt. Jennifer Sardam, 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1500573650984{margin: 0px !important;border-width: 0px !important;padding: 0px !important;}”]During April and May, leaders from the Maryland Army National Guard and the local community gathered on three separate occasions to break ground on construction projects that will significantly enhance the readiness of National Guard units in the La Plata, Dundalk and Westminster communities.
In La Plata, April 24, the Brigadier General William Smallwood Readiness Center project kicked off with plans to build a new 28,000-square-foot facility to replace the current 1950s-era structure. Funded by the Grow the Army initiative, the facility will house the 253rd Engineer Company (“Sapper”) and support the unit’s readiness to perform both state and federal missions.
During the groundbreaking ceremony in La Plata, Maj. Gen. James A. Adkins, the adjutant general of Maryland, addressed how the center will allow the Guard to accomplish both missions effectively, as a location where the unit can train for its federal responsibilities, but also as a “great staging area… to support the citizens of Maryland in times of need and times of emergencies.”
Community leaders expanded on Adkins’ comments, offering real-world examples of the benefits of a strong local National Guard presence.
“The Guard performs many, many outstanding functions, only one of which is helping our communities when there is a disaster,” said Roy G. Hale, La Plata mayor. “And, as you know, we have suffered one [tornado] in La Plata not too long ago. The Guard played a major role in helping us recover from that and [to] continue and provide the opportunity to build back our community.”
Partnership between local community officials and the Maryland National Guard has been a key factor in the success of these construction projects.
“We would not be here today without the cooperation of Charles County,” said Adkins, referring to the La Plata construction. “This over $9 million project will provide a world-class facility for our world-class Soldiers.”
The La Plata facility will include more than 2,000 square feet of classroom space, a unit library and learning center, a training simulation center, physical fitness area, and recruiting and family assistance offices.
In Dundalk, officials broke ground May 2 on a $14.29 million addition and alteration to the Command Sergeant Major Jerome M. Grollman Readiness Center, which includes 65,000 square feet of renovated space and new construction.
The project is set to enhance operational space to support missions of Maryland’s 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, the battalion’s Headquarters Company, and F Company, 128th Support Battalion.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, the assistant adjutant general-Army, who hosted the groundbreaking. “And, in fact, before we started the ceremony, some of the 175th veterans were mentioning how long this project has been on the books — more than a decade. So we’re excited that this project is finally coming to fruition.”
Additionally, the most recent of the Maryland National Guard’s groundbreaking ceremonies, May 22 in Westminster, kicked off a $7.1 million addition and alteration to renovate and expand the 33-year-old Major General Henry C. Evans Readiness Center, which will include 16,019 square feet of new space, 16,015 square feet, and support the 29th Military Police Company.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]