Base commander finishes base housing demolition project Published Feb. 14, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Cynthia A. Haughton Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Col. Steve Garland, 99th Air Base Wing commander, demolished the last of the 1950's-era houses in the Nellis Landings community on base Feb. 11. After a brief training session from a demolition crew member, the commander drove the 330D CAT Excavator with ease, and leveled the house in around 30 minutes. "He's aggressive; he's getting the job done!" said Jeromy Slater, owner of Environmental Assurance, the demolition contractor for Hunt Building Company. "I want to put him on the payroll," he joked. The house on Baer Drive was the last of 315 houses demolished in the contract with Environmental Assurance, and everyone was pleased with the completion of the demolition. "It's a good day to see the last one of these come down, and I think it's great that the colonel is the one to do it," said Dave Cole, the general superintendent of Hunt Building Company. When the house had been thoroughly destroyed, Colonel Garland shared his unique experience. "I have a new found appreciation for our professionals in the civil engineer squadron like the Dirt Boys," he said. "There is nothing quite like demolition on an excavator to help relieve stress and get you motivated to accomplish the mission." The land where the houses were located is slated to be used in future development, but no plans have been made thus far. The remaining 14 1950's-era houses are being set aside for temporary lodging facilities in the near future.
