ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- At the heart of the Air Force’s mission are the Airmen and Guardians who execute it. Their readiness depends on a simple, yet critical promise: having access to a clean, comfortable and safe place to call home.
In October 2025, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, established the Barracks Task Force with a clear mandate to ensure every warfighter’s home meets the highest standard, reinforcing the principle that caring for our people is fundamental to mission success.
By Oct. 21, commanders across the Department of the Air Force had conducted comprehensive, enterprise-wide inspections of Air Force dormitories to assess conditions and identify areas needing improvement. The inspections provided leaders clear visibility into needed repairs, quick fixes and a small number of cases where Airmen and Guardians required relocation.
The DAF’s approach to dormitory improvements focuses on improving facility conditions and operations which are led by civil engineers. As Col. Ryan Howell, chief of the Asset Management Division, noted, a core CE mission is sustaining installations as war fighting platforms, which includes making sure first-term Airmen and Guardians reside in clean, comfortable and safe conditions.
Drawing from this principle, civil engineers spearheaded the DAF-level response to the secretary’s 30-day deadline, forming a cross-disciplinary working group of subject matter experts from multiple career fields. The team was tasked with developing a unified investment plan with Airmen and Guardians at the center of their mission. They ensured recommendations were comprehensive, resourced and ready for execution.
To fuel this effort, the task force launched a multi-layered funding strategy. The initial push began with $41.5 million to address small, quick-fix requirements, followed by $105 million for larger barracks improvements projects funded by the Office of the Secretary of War. This funding — split between the Air Force and Space Force at $85 million and $20 million, respectively — was directed toward large-scale facilities sustainment, restoration and modernization projects prioritized for rapid execution. These investments coincide with the funds the DAF had already planned for this year to improve both technical training facilities and permanent-party dormitories.
The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center manages the prioritization and distribution of funds. According to Lt. Col. John Marshall, chief of Requirements Development, Program Management and Policy Division, the initial focus was on initiatives with rapid execution timelines and immediate impact.
Building upon current maintenance efforts at the installation level, base CE squadrons are executing the mission, turning funding into revitalized living spaces. For 1st Lt. Luke Allison at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, the task force “speeds that process along for us to open more rooms for more Airmen.” It empowers local CE teams to tackle quality-of-life projects that might otherwise have been deferred, such as installing ceiling fans to combat the Arizona heat.
This investment goes beyond infrastructure and is ultimately about people. “If you’re not comfortable in your house, how can you be focused on anything else,” Allison said, noting that distractions at home can affect performance and deployment readiness. As Maj. Chrystopher Nicholson, chief of Unaccompanied Housing, explains, returning to a substandard room after a 12-hour workday “can be demoralizing,” with real consequences for morale and retention.
Chief Master Sgt. Steven Millerd, chief of Enlisted Matters, explained that dorms offer reliable access to services and proximity to the mission. “With power, location and a clean, safe space, Airmen and Guardians can rest and focus on being ready for work without worrying about long commutes,” Millerd said.
Dormitories play an important role in Airmen and Guardians’ daily readiness and development. In the training environment, this focus is a strategic imperative. With two decades of experience with dormitory infrastructure, Col. George Nichols, the command civil engineer for Air Education and Training Command, weighs in on this effort. “It’s more than just their home in the training world, it’s their mission platform to become better,” Nichols said.
By improving foundational living conditions, the DAF reinforces a clear message: Airmen and Guardians’ well-being is a priority.
The task force is also focused on overcoming long-standing hurdles. To bridge the communication gap and make it easier for dorm residents to report maintenance needs, a digital work order solution is under development to streamline the process and ensure issues remain visible. Efforts are also underway to address more immediate quality-of-life improvements, such as working to invest in free Wi-Fi for Airmen and Guardians living in the dorms.
The Barracks Task Force is a comprehensive and enduring commitment to the DAF’s most valuable asset—its people. “The objective is simple: take care of our Airmen and Guardians,” said Brig. Gen. Christopher Leonard, director of Civil Engineers. “A secure home base ensures they are ready for the mission today and fully prepared for whatever comes tomorrow.” By providing quality housing, leaders at HAF, AFIMSC, and local CE squadrons are reinforcing a culture of care and striving to give Airmen and Guardians a safe, clean and comfortable foundation.
