Nellis TTF receives modernization ideas from UNLV Published Nov. 25, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Michael Charles Nellis AFB Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The Nellis Threat Training Facility received a design portfolio from the University of Nevada- Las Vegas Nov. 19 at the grand opening of the school's new downtown design center. The portfolio from the UNLV School of Architecture showcased options for improving the 547th Intelligence Squadron's showcase facility. The TTF houses foreign-made jets and helicopters, radars, antiaircraft guns and missiles, as well as numerous armored vehicles. Maj. Matteo G. Martemucci, 547th IS director of operations, contacted UNLV in May to request design ideas to help modernize the TTF. "The TTF is such a visible part of Nellis AFB, not only for the training of our aircrew, battlefield Airmen and intelligence professionals but also for the thousands of visitors from the general public," said Maj. Martemucci. "To many, the TTF is the face of Nellis AFB and the U.S. Air Force. Quite simply, we want to put forth the best face possible." Professor Robert Dorgan, the director of the UNLV Downtown Design Center, developed a college course around the modernization design project in which 16 undergraduate and graduate students prepared drawings and computer simulations for a number of improvements. Some of these improvements included an upgraded conference facility, aircraft hangar and improved display spaces for the TTF. The 547th TTF was built in the mid-1970s and hosts 30,000 visitors per year and dozens of joint, interagency and international conferences annually. The building, however, has not had any major capital improvements. "Other than the regular addition of new equipment, the TTF has remained unchanged for most of its 30-plus years," said Maj. Martemucci. "For a while now we've had the vision of turning the TTF into a world-class interactive training facility and conference venue for Nellis. Professor Dorgan and his team of students exceeded all our expectations. They have delivered an impressive multi-media design product that we can hopefully turn into a reality." With the first step taken to improve the TTF, what remains is applying the designs that were made. The offered TTF designs go further in preparing Nellis for the needs both in training and in community relations of the 21st century.
