Eagle housing has landed

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jason Burton
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  After 16 months of construction, Incirlik's newest family housing area, Eagle Housing, officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony May 29 led by Col. Ken Stefanek, 39 Air Base Wing vice commander.

These new homes, 22 in all, represent the completion of Eagle Housing Phase I and are the first Incirlik homes to be built since 1985.

"The completion of Eagle Housing Phase I signifies the beginning of a well thought-out plan to upgrade our housing," said Maj. Randy Boswell, 39th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. "This is the first step toward modernizing and expanding all of our housing," he said.

At the start of 2006, approximately 150 housing units - all built in the 1960s - stood where the new Eagle Housing now resides. Due to damage incurred during the 1998 Adana earthquake, many of these homes were condemned and demolished. Construction of the 22 new homes began Jan. 18, 2007, almost immediately after the demolitions were complete.

The new homes are larger than other current base housing units and have been upgraded with many amenities such as granite counter tops, open kitchen areas, and multiple electrical, telephone and cable outlets.

"I would say the quality of materials and finishes, such as in the kitchen and bathrooms are of a higher quality [than the previous homes] and the most noticeable improvement," said Mark Nedzbala, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mediterranean-area engineer.

Major Boswell agreed with Mr. Nedzbala's assessment.

"The open floor plan, granite counter tops, extensive electrical outlets in both 220 volt and 110 volt and modern cabinetry and lighting make the kitchen one of the highlights of the new houses," he said.

Seven families have moved into these completed units and Eagle Housing is expected to be fully occupied by the end of summer.

Phase II of the Eagle Housing project is slated for completion in August and consists of the construction of 34 housing units. The third and final phase will add 44 company grade officer and junior noncommissioned officer houses and is projected to be finished by January 2009.

Along with these in-home improvements, community upgrades have been added such as gazebos, tennis courts and playgrounds.

This, however, will not be the end of Incirlik's housing upgrades.

"We are committed to replacing or renovating all housing at Incirlik, both family and unaccompanied housing," Major Boswell said. "Our ongoing Phantom and Fiscal Year 2008 Phantom /Falcon project will renovate the 750 existing family housing units."

Incirlik's dormitories may see renovations as well as there are plans to replace one wing dormitory by the end of Fiscal Year 2012 and have five large quad-concept dorms replace all nine of the existing dormitories by Fiscal Year 2017.

"When construction is complete Incirlik will have some of the best housing the Air Force has to offer," said Major Boswell.