An Airman receives a set of keys from an Airmen Dorm Leader Aug. 30 at the new "Dorms 4 Airmen" here. The D4A are the first of their kind in the Kaiserslautern Military Community and include apartment-style living conditions such as a washer and dryer, common living area and kitchen, with four bedrooms each having its own bathroom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Travis Edwards)
Airmen and leadership from the 86th Airlift Wing cut a ribbon during a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the new "Dorms 4 Airmen" dormitory built on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 31, 2011. The new building has four floors, 8 apartments per floor, and can hold 128 Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kendra Alba)
by Stephany Pippin
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
9/6/2011 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- A ribbon cutting ceremony happened here Aug. 31, to celebrate the opening of a new dormitory for Airmen.
The project started May 2009 and now, little more than two years later this $12 million construction project is complete and includes more than $500,000 in new furniture for the Airmen.
"These are the first 'Dorms 4 Airmen' the Kaiserslautern Military Community has constructed," said Lt. Col. Jarrett Purdue, 86th Civil Engineer Squadron commander.
The new living quarters offer 32 apartments, each with four rooms, housing up to 128 Airmen. The "Dorms 4 Airmen" concept is a design providing a four-person module with four private bedrooms, private baths, a shared kitchen with a washer and dryer, and a common living room.
"These rooms give a balance of privacy and community," said Purdue. "The community space is important for Airmen to interact with each other and build the needed camaraderie and resiliency."
The Airmen dormitory leaders agree that the new "Dorms 4 Airmen" concept is great.
"The apartment style room (a new Air Force standard) allows for more interaction between Airmen, creating a social environment," said Staff Sgt. Barbara Breazeale, 86th CES Airmen dormitory leader. "This allows Airmen to act as better wingmen."
The building was created with a contemporary style to accommodate every lifestyle of each Airman.
"I love seeing all the modern amenities for the Airmen; seeing how well our Airmen are being treated and us adapting to the new technology of the modern day lifestyle of each Airman; it makes me happy," Breazeale said. "I love my job."
The four floors of the new building will accommodate Airmen from the 86th Communications Squadron and the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron.
"I really like the new layout," said Airman 1st Class Zach Bach, who recently moved into the new "Dorms 4 Airmen."
Bach, who is a native of Lake Tahoe, Calif., continued to say, "It makes me proud of what I have; I want to ensure it stays this nice for years to come so other Airmen who come in after me have a great place to call home."
