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The members of the 133rd Test Squadron of the Iowa Air National Guard work with the most up-to-date military technology every day, but they do it in facilities designed for the needs of 40 years ago.

That will change as a result of a recently launched construction project which will transform the squadron's compound near Fort Dodge Regional Airport.

When it's done, the unit's main building will be completely remodeled and a new 7,000-square-foot vehicle maintenance facility will stand just north of it.

''This is going to bring the squadron up to a modern facility and I think we're all excited about it,'' said Lt. Col. Robin Hosch, the unit's commander.

U.S. Rep. Tom Latham, R-Ames, secured $5.6 million in federal money to pay for the project.

''If it wasn't for him we wouldn't be having this done because he kept pushing and pushing for it,'' said Lt. Col. Scott Holloway, the squadron officer overseeing the project.

He added that the improvements were the No. 1 construction priority for the Air National Guard.

Workers are currently building the foundation for the vehicle maintenance facility. Holloway said the plan is to have the walls and roof completed before winter.

Later, the construction workers will focus on the squadron's main building. The entire interior of the building will be new after the remodeling is done, Holloway said.

The building's old boiler and chiller will be replaced with a geothermal climate control system that will be both environmentally friendly and cost-effective to run, according to Holloway.

The front lawn of the building will become a parking lot.

Holloway said civil engineering personnel from the Iowa Air National Guard's 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City helped design the project.

Nationwide Construction Services of Detroit, Mich., is the general contractor. Jensen Builders Ltd. and Ross Electric, both of Fort Dodge, are now working at the site. Holloway said he expects all the subcontractors will be local companies.

Contact Bill Shea at (515) 573-2141 or bshea@messengernews.net