Shaw leaders reveal upcoming changes Published March 2, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Daniel Phelps 20th Fighter WIng Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Leaders of the 20th Fighter Wing hosted met March 1 to pass along to Team Shaw information about the many changes happening here. Colonel Joe Guastella, Jr., 20th Fighter Wing commander, welcomed attendees and expressed how important Airmen and their families are to Shaw and the Air Force. "Taking care of our Airmen is our top priority," he said. Several other leaders from organizations spoke about the opportunities Shaw continues to offer. They represented the 20th Force Support Squadron, Key Spouse program, Airman and Family Readiness Center, Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Shaw commissary, chapel and other agencies. There are around $210 million dollars worth of construction projects underway here, and some major ones are expected to be completed around mid-April, said Lt. Col. Derek Scott, 20th Civil Engineering Squadron commander. Some topics covered: The commissary is going through over 22 phases of renovations and will take approximately a year to complete. New freezers came in Tuesday and heating, ventilating and air conditioning units arrived Monday. New dairy cases with glass doors are also expected to arrive sometime in the next few months. The base exchange will be relocated near the housing office. Construction should begin this summer. The new AAFES mall is projected to be completed by late summer in 2011. It will contain new concessions and food options, as well as having gas pumps. Upgrades are underway in most military family housing units, including appliances, bath and shower units, cabinets, flooring, paint and doors. Plans are moving forward for the privatized housing. Medical care: Colonel Lane Rogers, 20th Medical Group commander, spoke on the transition to a family health initiative to be completed this fall. "This will allow for families to have more continuity in their medical care," he added. Finally, construction at the main gate and resulting traffic issues was mentioned by Col. Ted Uchida, 20th Mission Support Group commander. "There will be some traffic re-routing as a result of construction," he noted. Details will be released in the near future. Some of the other new construction projects here include new dormitory construction, a new veterinary clinic, a new BX, construction on Army Central Command headquarters and the completion of new temporary living facilities by this fall. Colonel Uchida also said Shaw will have the first fitness center in the Air Force to have attended child care with a certified child care provider. The 20th Fighter Wing public affairs office will be preparing stories about the major projects in the next few weeks.