What's Going on with Volk Field?
According to the Wisconsin State Journal, the Wisconsin National Guard plans to spend $8 million to build a base for unmanned surveillance drones, located at Volk Field. The facility will span more than 10,000 square feet in total and will replace two office buildings, which have been a temporary base for unarmed Shadow drones. In fact, Congress has approved $7.9 million for the planning and construction process regarding these plans. State funds will produce an estimated additional $415,000 to complete construction. A unanimous vote by the state Building Commission voted to release $177,460 for the development of preliminary designs.
Approximately 45 National Guard units across the country have received Shadow drones. These machines are typically used for scouting and locating potential targets. Machines are currently used for training in Wisconsin and are not used active surveillance missions at this time. 22 soldiers are assigned to the drones. There are no plans to use these machines to spy on people, but they will be actively used in training to help improve the ability of the soldiers. Machines are currently being housed in a contracting office and a maintenance shop located at Volk Field. The buildings these machines are being housed in are too small, according to Guard officials. Much of the equipment is stored outdoors, as a result of the small buildings, which results in more frequent repairs.
The buildings the machines are currently housed in do not offer adequate runway space and do not meet the requirements of any Anti-Terrorism Force Protection standards, building codes, enacted after September 11th.
Plans for the new base include a brick veneer, drone parking space, a workout facility and locker rooms. This facility will be similar to a municipal fire station. Facilities will also allow for adequate and proper training, because equipment will also be taken care of.
Preliminary designs should be completed by fall of 2010 and bids will be open within 12 months. It is anticipated that the base will be completed by 2012.
Published by Beth Lytle
Based in the Midwest, Beth Lytle has been writing professionally since 2008. Working as an editor and with recent work published on eHow, LiveStrong and the Bayer Aspirin website, Lytle is a self-made freela... View profile
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- The new drone facility will be over 10,000 square feet.
- The facility is set to be completed by 2012.
- The new drone facility will help to cut back on unwanted repairs to equipment.