New gate improves security, safety for Team Moody

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joshua Garcia
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Wing leaders held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the $10 million Davidson Road gate, vehicle inspection facility and visitor center for Moody, Sept. 7.

The new entry control facility will provide an inspection facility for 23d Security Forces Squadron members to perform vehicle inspection on all inbound commercial vehicles.

"This gate will not only increase safety and efficiency, but it will also upgrade the capabilities of our security forces Airmen," said U.S. Air Force Col. Billy Thompson, 23d Wing commander. "And, they ensure the protection of our most important assets, our people and our equipment."

The inspection facility will also contribute to a smoother flow of all traffic for the base.

"The new vehicle inspection pit will allow commercial traffic to be segregated from personal owned vehicle traffic," said John Eunice, 23d Civil Engineer Squadron deputy base civil engineer. "The pit provides security forces a state of the art facility to enhance Moody's force protection efforts and also provides a covered working environment for personnel and military working dogs."

Along with the new inspection facility, an improved visitor center was built as part of the project.

"The new 4,000 square foot visitor center will provide a modern and comfortable environment to process base visitors," said Thompson.

The five year project is a combined effort of both on and off base agencies.

"The gate portion of the project, which included the new gate itself, a new visitor control center, a new commercial vehicle inspection pit and new post office, was added as part of the 2008 Military Construction Program," said Eunice. "This portion of the project was managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, and the work was performed by Slone Construction from Valdosta. The Davidson Road project was funded by the Defense Access Roads program, which enabled the Department of Defense to pay its share of public highway improvements.

The Davidson Road gate will further ease the flow of local community traffic, by moving the gate off of the main road and reducing morning congestion on Bemiss Road.

"This project is a tremendous benefit for Moody's Airmen and family members," said Eunice. "The new road will enhance safety for the vehicles coming to Moody by taking traffic off of Bemiss Road, and it provides smoother entry to and exit from Moody."

With safety in mind, the Davidson Road gate looks to provide it for both Moody Airmen and the local community.

"These state of the art enhancements will benefit our Airmen, civilian, retirees and their families for generations to come," said Thompson.

The combined efforts from agencies on and off base allowed the project to be completed.

"I can't express how proud I am to see this project culminate to the final product it is today... its phenomenal," said Thompson.