TRADOC opens new advanced headquarters in Newport News
Channel: Norfolk District Army Corps
Date: 2011-09-01

The Army Training and Doctrine Command has a new home. The recently completed 263,676-square-foot facility brings the command officially from historic  Fort Monroe, to Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Newport News Virginia, where workers will be leaving behind beautiful views for a modern and technologically advanced office building. 

"It's never been about a view of the ocean but about the work, and this building will facilitate that work far better than where we were at Fort Monroe,"  said Gen. Robert W. Cone.

One of the main reasons it will assist in the TRADOC mission of developing new training and procedures is it combines the command into one building. 

 "Right now we live in a facility a tremendous historic facility but 27 separate,"  said Cone. 

Packed with the latest in telecommunications, audio visual and secure systems technology the headquarters building gives the command the tools that they didn't have, nor would they be able to get had they stayed in their Fort Monroe location.  

 "Considering the facilities at Fort Monroe, although historic as they are, just don't have the technological advancements," said Elmslie Smith, Norfolk District resident engineer,

Not only is the building technologically advanced in its systems, it also has advanced technology incorporated into its design to make it energy efficient.

 "Spaces that are not occupied, not only do the lights automatically adjust, but temperature in the room and the humidity also adjust," said Smith.

The building also includes extra insulation, energy efficient window coatings, and a white roof helping it to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver rating.  

Construction of the $95 million facility was overseen by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who worked closely with its client, TRADOC, to make sure the building met the needs in helping to advance the command's mission and goals.
  
 "The Corps of Engineers always takes care of the Soldiers and their clients," said Cone. 

From Newport News Virginia, Patrick Bloodgood