The Keesler field news., 1941-09-24
Barracks
Are b9%
Complete
MEDICAL AREA
WILL INCLUDE
so BUILDINGS

Enlisted men of Keesler Field
who are still quartered in tents
can look forward to moving into
neW barracks in the near future.
according 10 Maj. Robert z. York
Of the Corps OF Ens .neers, IN
charge Of construction.
While construction on all build
ings on the post Is approximately
IS per cent complete. work on the
barracks passed the, two-thirds
mark with SO per cent Of construc-
ton on those buildings being re-
ported complete this week How
ever. 24a OF the 384 barracks are
not ready for occupancy as is /
dicated by the percentage figure.
Actually only 64 of the buildings
are in use and another group of
the same number has been ac-
cepted by the Air Corps.
The construction crews are ex-
ceptionslly well organized. Major
York stated. Work is carried on in
much the same manner as q pro-
duction line in large manufac-
turing plant. Because of the mass
production system used, keeping
an adequate supply of materials
available has become problem
However, every effort is being
made to complete the housing sec
ton and other necessary buildings
in the shortest possible time, Ma
jor York indicated.
VARIOUS AREAS SECTIoNED
The field is sectioned off in var
ious areas. Those areas ars hous-
ing and administration, Medical
Corps, technical, Quartermsster,
and supply, and officers. The
housing area is most centrally To-
Gated. On the north is the Medi-
cal Corps area. Administration.
technical and Qusrtermsster and
supply is located on the west side
Of the field. The officers area is
located on the south edge OF the
post.
Sixteen barracks are located in
each of the "a blocks of the hoLs-
ing area. In addition to the living
quarters of the soldiers there will
be two day rooms, recreational
building and an administration
and supply building in each block.
The barracks are of two-story
frame construction each housing
SO men. The buildings will re
heated by natural gas. thermos-
tstically controlled. A barber shop
will be located in the first build
ing OF each block.
Recreational buildings will e
equipped with projection room
for motion pictures, stage and
dressing rooms for stage produc-
tions, and ticket offices.
SERVICE CLUB PLANNED
In the housing area will be an
enlisted mems service club, q
hostess house, the post office,
Post Exchange and a l000-man
theatre. On the first floor of the |
service club is located a restau-
rant and dance floor. Also on the |
ground floor will be hostess Of
flee and an administration office. |
A balcony encircleS the dance |
floor with spacious lounge at one
end and a reading room at the |
other.
Sixty buildings make up the |
medical area. Included in that sec
ton are clinics, morgue and a
surgical ward. The X-ray room
is entirely sheatked with lead /
betve~u the inner and outer walls. |
Post exchanges are located /
throughout the various areas so
that no soldier win be handicap
ped in reaching the military stores.
The five buildings are reported 40 |
per cent complete.
General headquarters building /
Of the field is expected to be ready |
for occupancy in approximately |
two weeks. Completion has been |
slightly delayed by the shortage
OF some necessary materials.