BURLINGTON, Ky. –
The Kentucky Army National Guard cut the ribbon on the new Field Maintenance Shop 7 (FMS 7) in Burlington, Aug. 24, reaching an important milestone in modernization.
The ceremony culminated nearly two years of construction and several years in planning.
U.S. Army Col. John Barger, deputy construction and facilities management officer for the Kentucky Army National Guard, spoke of the significance of the new facility.
“As a long-time member with the Construction and Facilities Management Office, it’s been my honor to be involved in the evolution of our facilities,” Barger said. “This field maintenance shop provides our personnel with the resources and the environment needed to continue their vital work in service to our state and nation. For me, today’s ribbon-cutting is incredibly personal, as it culminates a 15-year journey.”
Securing funding presented a challenge for this project.
“By locking arms with our legislative teammates, we secured and protected construction funding on the 2020-2024 Future Years Defense Plan,” Barger said. “Then we had to fight and resource the critical operations and maintenance funds to bring this project to life. These teams worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure our infrastructure and facilities meet the growing demands of our force structure.”
The previous 5,877-square-foot northern Kentucky maintenance facility lacked the space to meet the demands of units in the area. Because of narrow maintenance bays, teams were able to work on only one to two pieces of equipment at a time. This limitation meant Soldiers had to travel along Interstates 71 and 75 to transport heavy military equipment to Lexington – a journey that incurred significant logistical expense and posed safety risks to traffic along the busy interstate corridor.
The new 25,000 square-foot facility expands maintenance capacity and is equipped with expanded bays capable of accommodating modern military vehicles and enhanced security features to protect vital equipment and assets. The new shop will directly support vehicle-intensive units assigned to the area, including Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 103rd Chemical Battalion, the 299th Chemical Company, the 2112th Transportation Company, and the 940th Military Police Company.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton, Kentucky’s adjutant general, presided over the ceremony and highlighted the strategic necessity of the facility, referencing an adage: “Amateurs study tactics; professionals study logistics.”
“There is no way we can field a combat Soldier in an operational theater without a huge logistical tail associated with that,” Lamberton said. “As we gained a greater presence of the National Guard in northern Kentucky, it necessitated a greater logistical tail to support it.”
Lamberton also praised the expertise of the Guard’s maintainers, noting they bring civilian and military experience to the organization.
“We have sterling mechanics,” Lamberton said. “It makes sense that we give them a sterling maintenance facility that they can work in. This is another step in the evolutionary process for the continual, ongoing improvement of the Kentucky Army National Guard.”
Robbin Taylor, state director for Sen. Mitch McConnell, also spoke at the event.
“It’s amazing to see this project come to fruition,” Taylor said. “Expanding this facility to 25,000 square feet, almost five times the original size, will no doubt provide you with the new and updated facilities you deserve to effectively support your mission.”
FMS 7 represents the Kentucky Guard’s commitment to modernization and building the infrastructure to sustain the force. As the Kentucky Guard transforms to meet global threats, FMS 7 ensures Guardsmen have the equipment to respond to disasters at home and win abroad.
“A readiness center is only as good as the maintenance capability supporting it,” Barger said. “Seeing this shop realized today is the victory of a 15-year promise kept to our northern Kentucky Soldiers.”