Saturday, Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. was truly a historic marker for Pittsburgh, PA.
No, we didn't win a war. No, we didn't all become millionaires. But, we did break ground at the 911th Airlift Wing for, of all things, a Navy Operational Support Center—and it's right next to the old 911th Officers Club.
It was misting rain, a cold wind was blowing and heavy jackets could easily have been the order of the day. Under a large white tent with flaps drawn on three sides to break the wind, the appropriate contingents came together to formally break ground for this "ground-breaking" event. (pun intended.)
Ceremony participants included: U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair; U.S. Rep. Mark Critz, D-Johnstown; Commander of Navy Reserve Force Vice Admiral Robin Braun; Commander of the 911th Airlift Wing Colonel Craig Peters; Operations Officer Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic Captain John Adametz; Commanding Officer NOSC Pittsburgh Lieutenant Commander Denise Judge; and contractor Dale R. Gonzalez.
The event was followed by refreshments at a nearby pavilion under which the group of approximately 100 to 120 gathered. Hot coffee was the most popular drink, and a beautiful cake decorated to depict the new NOSC went fast.
Today the Pittsburgh International Airport area moved yet another step closer toward becoming a joint readiness center for military affairs in this part of the country. We welcome our Navy family and look forward to early 2014, when their quarters are completed and they move into their anti-terrorism force protection compliant facility with a silver-level energy and environmental design certification.
