Demanding readiness through reduction

The KMC is constantly expanding and evolving. The latest facility to undergo change is the Drug Demand Reduction center, located at the Southside fitness center annex.

The remodeling of the facility, a partnership between the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing Construction and Training Squadron and the 86th Airlift Wing, took only six months to complete from start to finish.

“I’ve been places where you couldn’t get any project off the drawing board in that time,” said Brig. Gen. C.K. Hyde, 86th Airlift Wing commander.

In front of a nice crowd of distinguished Ramstein senior leaders and onlookers, Hyde officially cut the ribbon, opening the renovated facility.

In addition to the ribbon cutting, Hyde was presented with a large ceremonial key by 435th AGOW Commander, Col. John Shapland, as a token of appreciation.
In his opening remarks, Hyde stressed his feelings about the new facility’s ultimate purpose.

“This facility is really about one thing, and that’s readiness,” Hyde said. “Maintaining the readiness of our Airmen to fight at any given moment and making sure that their fellow Airmen around them have confidence in the person standing next to them in the combat zone.”

One of the key points stressed by both Hyde and Shapland was the partnership of the two wings.

“It’s just an incredible teamwork effort,” Shapland said. “It’s a great example of Team Ramstein really having the drive and determination to bring a vision to reality. “

That vision has produced a facility that will better accommodate the Ramstein warriors.

“It really was a ground up renovation,” said Morgan McNabb, the DDR program manager. “We have doubled the space of our old facility, installed more urinals and stalls, and created a workspace that will help the flow of traffic so that we can check them in and process them quicker.”

As the base continues to evolve, the responsibilities to keep its service members ready stays the same.

“It’s something the Airmen will be really proud of,” McNabb said. “This new renovation will turn the focus of DDR to more of a deterrent program that reinforces the readiness of the force.”