Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a long-time customer of the FAA Logistics Center and the FAA Academy held a groundbreaking ceremony the morning of April 17th, for their new Mobile Systems Test Bed and Training Facility. Around 16 years ago, the Department of Homeland Security reached out to the Logistics Center to collaborate on logistics support for CBP’s Mobile program. When the partnership started, it was a team of five personnel and a single carport designated for their operations. Over the years, thanks to the continual success of the program, the FAA Academy was brought into the mix to provide training for the maintenance and operations of critical surveillance equipment. It wasn’t too long after that when another need was identified; to create an actual mobile test bed and training facility to accommodate the maintenance and training of a growing number of systems.
As paper and pen were put to the idea of building a new facility, $4M was needed to accomplish this undertaking. Additional partners were brought into the mix: architects, engineers, the Office of Facility Management, the Logistics Center, the FAA Academy, the Department of Homeland Security, and several contractors.
The teams collaborated to determine the design requirements and concept drawings were made. After much discussion, it was determined that having a larger building would enable the Logistics Center to perform maintenance and upgrades in one part of the building, while simultaneously allowing the FAA Academy to teach classes in another area.
The development of this new facility recognizes many potential benefits:
The contract bid for this construction project went out in July 2023 and was awarded in February 2024. Kevin O’Connor, Deputy Director of the Aeronautical Center, expressed, "We’re grateful for this partnership and what it represents between different government agencies. It enhances the use of our resources and aids everyone as we confront potential budget deficits and spending freezes – ultimately improving our ability to serve the American public. We look forward to the continued growth of this partnership and improving the customer experience while supporting a ’one government’ approach."
On the morning of the groundbreaking ceremony, guests and faculty met in the HQ building for a brief welcome with introductions. Michelle Coppedge, Director of the Aeronautical Center, greeted everyone and spoke about her early days at the Logistics Center before becoming the Center Director and reflecting on early conversations back in 2006 with Jack Daly, Jr. and Pat Flanagan and the possibilities of CBP sharing government resources on the grounds of the Aeronautical Center. "We are so honored to have this partnership and the level of collaboration that it represents. It is a privilege to host a fellow government agency whose mission is also rooted in safety," says Coppedge. Other guest speakers included Kim Sheppard, Chief of Staff; Kevin O’Connor, Deputy Director of the Aeronautical Center; KC Milligan, Executive Director of Acquisition Governance and Oversight; Darren Jerome, Deputy Program Director of the FAA’s Logistics Center; and Valdrie Buford, Director of the FAA Academy. Shortly after introductions, everyone moved outside to don blue construction hats while holding golden shovels.
KC Milligan expressed, "The ceremony was executed with professionalism and was a true testament of the sixteen-year partnership between CBP and the FAA in sustaining our systems. We look forward to the facility’s completion and the added capability it will provide to the Mobile Portfolio."
Valdrie Buford, Director of the FAA Academy, commented, "The recent Mobile Training and Test Bed (MTTB) Facility groundbreaking was both a celebration of the long and productive partnership between the CBP and the FAA, and a major step forward in the relationship between the two agencies. The MTTB will ensure the Academy can deliver high-quality, mission-critical training to CBP personnel year-round, regardless of weather and other factors. This, in turn, will increase throughput and will help ensure that CBP’s personnel get the training they need - when they need it. This was a great collaborative effort between the FAA Academy, the FAA Logistics Center, and CBP!"
Special guests attending the groundbreaking ceremonies included Ryan Scudder, Executive Assistant Commissioner for Customs and Border Protection; Kimberly "KC" Milligan, Executive Director of Acquisition Governance and Oversight; Joshua Gough from the Analysis Requirements and Evaluations Directorate; Rick Cornelio, Deputy Executive Director of Acquisition Support Directorate; Archie Williams, Director of Portfolio Acquisition, Executive Support Division, Program Management Office Directorate.
Architectural and Engineering company members were represented by Thomas Small and Aaron Denker of SA Studio. Mercedes Rash and Lynn Rash from PWE Incorporated. James Mitchell from MIGO Construction Group.
FAA Representatives in attendance: Michelle Coppedge, Director of the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center; Kevin O’Connor, Deputy Director of the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center; Darren Jerome, Deputy Program Director of the FAA’s Logistics Center; Director of the FAA Academy; Valdrie Buford, and Corey Black, Director of the Office of Facility Management, along with his Deputy Director, Zeke Hill.
The Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center sits on 1,100 acres and has been in existence since 1946. The Center is a vital location for aviation and the entire National Airspace System. Ninety-six percent of what is located at this sole facility is replicated in the National Airspace System, which makes it so significant – an ideal, centralized location for testing, research, analysis, and troubleshooting all things involving our aerospace system.