A ground breaking ceremony was held Wednesday for two new buildings at Webster Field in St. Inigoes. In attendance were Pax River Commanding Officer Capt. Ted Mills, Commander Naval Air Systems Command Vice Adm. David Architzel, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D: MD) Congressman Steny Hoyer (D:MD 5th) and the St. Mary’s County Commissioners.

The Communications Engineering Facility will be an 18,000-square-foot building that will include: a 2,600-square-foot High Bay Integration area with overhead doors providing drive through capability; a 3,900-square-foot Sensitive Compartmentalized Information Facility (SCIF) for Integration and Testing; a 2,100-square-foot SCIF Office Space; a JWICS Conference Room; a 2,750-square-foot ME/CAD Office Space and a 625-square-foot Unclassified Training/Conference Space.

Congressman Hoyer noted this building will “provide all of you extraordinarily able, talented and well-prepared people with the kind of facility that you need to maximize that talent and to make sure you have a facility that is equal to your talent.” He further stated that “once complete, this facility will bring even more special work here. To be done in a closed, secure environment.”

Sen. Cardin stated this building will provide Pax River with “a facility that will add to its capacity to deal with the needs of special communications.”

The Maryland National Guard Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems Operations Building will be 9,916 square feet and will feature areas for Mission and Flight Operations; Hangar/Aviation Maintenance; Simulation Center; Training Support; Classrooms; Administrative and Support and an observation platform.

Congressman Hoyer also noted, “The Special Communications Engineering Facility will ensure Webster Field has the secure space needed to meet the needs of our defense community and the Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems Operation facility will support the important mission of the Maryland National Guard, Patuxent River Naval Air Station and Webster Field play strategic roles in our national security efforts.”

Senator Cardin added, “The dedication of the new communication engineering facility and the groundbreaking for the Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems Operations Building will enhance our intelligence capabilities and also provide invaluable resources for the Maryland National Guard.”

The Special Communications Requirements Division is engaged in the design, development, integration, test and evaluation, installation, fieldi