HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The 505th Training Group cut the multi-colored ribbon signifying the "grand-opening" of its newest training facility Thursday during a ceremony attended by Air-men from around the country.

Building 90020, located next to the Hurlburt Air Park on Hartson Street, is the home of air operations center training for commanders, operators and maintainers - known as the AOC Formal Training Unit.

"Today is a big day for the air operations center weapon system," said Col. Pat Hoff-man, 505th Training Group commander. "By expanding and modernizing our training facilities, the 505th is better positioned to train and prepare AOC warriors for operations around the world."

Last year, the 505th TRG was responsible for training approximately 1,800 military members in a number of different AOC-centric courses.

"Our schoolhouse is a joint and coalition effort," said Colonel Hoffman. "We've got instructors and students from every branch of the military, allied nations and we're even responsible for preparing the Joint Forces Air Component Commanders prior to commanding airpower in theatre."

The new building has a number of high-tech upgrades. An auditorium featuring the latest video and sound systems is located across from a secure "mini-AOC" that can be used for training, exercises or mission rehearsals.

The facility's new equipment will allow the wing to enhance and enlarge training in courses such as the AOC Operator Course, Interface Control and the Systems-/Network Administrator courses.

During the ceremony, Gen. Ronald Keyes, Air Combat Command Commander, stressed the importance of the training that will be conducted at the schoolhouse.

"This will give us the capability to be more efficient and more effective," General Keyes said. "This was one of our visions."

Lt. Col. Mark Waits, 505th Training Squadron Commander, conveyed his excitement at having the new facility to train the C2 warriors.

"We are truly a single team achieving a single goal," Colonel Waits said.

General Keyes also believes the new FTU will provide the opportunity to do it right, thus ending a long journey.
"We've always had some kind of C2, but we really got serious about it in Desert Storm," said General Keyes.

The new building is the first in a series of "campus" plans the 505th Command and Control Wing has in store for its Hurlburt grounds. Building 90004 is in the process of being torn down to make way for more new construction while parking lots, roads, bridges and landscaping are revamped to tie together the wing's disparate structures into one unifying neighborhood.

"The FTU building is a new chapter in our wing history - the next few years will be full of dust and debris," said Colonel Hoffman. "But in the end, we'll be ready to command and control the future of America's airpower."