433rd Medical Group opens new facility Published Jan. 4, 2019 By Master Sgt. Kristian Carter 433rd Airlift Wing JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Air Force Reserve’s 433rd Airlift Wing leadership and many guests gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new 433rd Medical Group building Jan. 4 here. This new building has been three years in the making. The building cost was originally estimated at $9.9 million, but was completed under budget at $9 million. This is one of many Air Force Reserve Command projects currently in development in the Alamo Wing. Currently, The 433rd MDG leadership and its three subordinate squadrons are physically located in three different facilities. The new building will bring all of these organizations together and promote better collaboration between the different units' Reserve Citizen Airmen. “This new building creates even more synergy for all three squadrons to converge and integrate similar skill-sets, equipment, instructors, and leadership under one roof,” said Col. Ernest Vasquez, 433rd MDG commander. “It strengthens the deploy together and train together model that generates a combat ready lethal force.” The sentiment was reiterated by the wing commander. “Improved training through close contact, convenience and availability for our three medical units located in the same building will enhance and accelerate medical mission readiness,” said Col. Thomas K. Smith Jr., 433rd Airlift Wing commander. This new facility offers many improvements over the old buildings. “The old building only offered static meeting rooms, did not have classrooms nor did it offer any wireless or mobile technology,” said Vasquez. “This new building is designed to enhance communication with the open design. It will have wireless capability throughout thus allowing our members to move freely within the facility with their mobile devices. In addition to conference rooms and classrooms the building also has several ‘huddle’ rooms for collaboration along with mobile digital platforms for presentations anywhere in the building.” The new building is scheduled to be fully operational by Feb. 9.