Security Forces at home in new 8,740 square foot facility Published Dec. 13, 2005 By Maj. Rich Curry 507th ARW Public Affairs Tinker AFB, Okla. -- After six years, the 507th Security Forces Squadron members now have a place to call home. During a 10 a.m. ribbon cutting ceremony Dec. 3, 507th ARW Commander Col. Dean Despinoy dedicated a new 8,740 square foot facility, building 1095, stating “We are very happy for the support from Tinker Air Force Base officials and everyone involved to help us make this new facility a reality.” For the Air Force reservists, the long exodus to their new work center began in 1999 after a second major flood wreaked havoc to their previous building on base. “Our original building was in the middle of the Reserve campus on base and unfortunately was located in what’s called a 100-year flood zone,” said Master Sgt. David Dickson, 507th SFS Air Reserve Technician. The term “100-year flood zone” is used to describe an area that may, under the right conditions, encounter major flooding once every 100 years. “Our squadron got hit with two major floods virtually back to back,” Dickson said. The second flood, which produced a 4 foot high crest throughout the entire squadron building, destroyed a major portion of the squadron’s office equipment and deployable assets, including night vision goggles, two All Terrain Vehicles and personal chemical gear. “It was a terrible event,” Dickson said. Immediately afterwards, the squadron took roost for four months in the maintenance complex before moving to office facilities with the 513th Air Control Group in building 240. In April of 2000, the squadron moved once again to the 38th EIG complex off Douglas Blvd. where they remained for the next four years. The new $1.2 million facility is designed to provide space for 50 Air Force Reserve Security Forces personnel with offices, two training classrooms, and attached warehouse storage for the squadron’s deployable wartime assets. “Our security forces are a vital resource to the Air Force,” Colonel Despinoy stated during the building dedication. “The support we have received from Base Civil Engineering and others here on base was critical to our being able to stand here today and mark a new beginning for our reservists.”