Credit: Chenault International Airpot
The Louisiana National Guard held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new readiness center at Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles today. The previous center was already set for replacement, but damages from Hurricane Laura in 2020 accelerated the timeline. Col. Scott Slaven says the original facility has been around since the 1950s…
“The building has served its use but is beyond its useful life, and now we get to turn over a new facility with all the accommodations and proper size if you will, to maintain our equipment and train our soldiers.”
The new facility will accommodate over 200 soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment. Slaven says It will span nearly 60-thousand square feet and feature separate areas for administrative work and training, along with shared spaces such as an auditorium, and classrooms.
“We have state-of-the-art audio-visual electronics and electronics so the soldiers and leaders here can conduct operations and planning. Especially during like an all-hazard or hurricane event or if we are preparing to send soldiers overseas.”
Slaven praised the project as a reflection of the determination and hard work, ensuring soldiers have access to a modern facility. The project’s cost is estimated at 23-million-dollars with 75-percent federal funding and 25-percent state funding. Slaven says it’s a great example showing that partnership…
“It’s a partnership with our federal partners, our state partners at the local level here at Lake Charles with our Chennault folks that we work very and extremely close with.”
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