By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
Quality of life for Laughlin’s enlisted Airmen is jumping, thanks to a $35.3 million dollar renovation to a once-shuttered dormitory.
Ricks Hall is also a salute to the unique relationship between Laughlin and Del Rio, as it’s one of the only buildings named after a local citizen.
The building was named after Philip A. Ricks, a local businessman and former Air Force member who died in 1983. Ricks poured much of his life into Laughlin, helping establish the Military Affairs Association and advocated for the pilot training wing at the highest levels of government.
However, the building has had his name for years and in a financial decision, the Air Force “mothballed” the building. Meaning the building was still standing, but no one was living there, and conditions dwindled.
Like all things in life, things change. Suddenly, Air Force leadership found themselves with more Airmen and nowhere to bed them. The
53,000 square feet in Ricks Hall was inviting, but to get the building back in shape would cost tens of millions.
Recently, the Air Force found the money to get the building back in shape.
The March 6 celebration starting the massive remodeling project off certainly wasn’t a ground-breaking ceremony — the building was built. But there was quite a bit of work and the kickoff needed to be marked. So, instead of shovels and speeches, this event got sledgehammers and speeches.
“The $35.3 million renovation of this facility will provide modern, comfortable and safe living quarters for first-term Airmen,” Chief Master Sgt. David Snarr, 47th Flying Training Wing command chief told the crowd gathered at the kickoff event. “It’s also a testament to the Air Force’s commitment to improving the quality of life for our service members.”
While better accommodations for Airmen is always good news, the effort had even more positives. According to Daniel Gallegos, 47th Civil Engineering Squadron project management element chief, Laughlin Airmen are going to have better living conditions than their peers around the Air Force.
“The square footage of each room has doubled, and each room will have its own kitchenette and private bathroom,” Gallegos said. “The quality of life for our Airmen living in the dorms will be significantly improved with nothing like it in the Air Force.”
This project meant local wing leaders had to get what was called an Exception-to-Policy signed, paperwork that had to weave its way to some of the highest levels of the Air Force, because the rooms were bigger and better than what regulations said they should be.
So, the March 6 event marked many things, the Air Force’s commitment to Airmen as well as the close ties between Del Rio and Laughlin.
“This really says a lot about the special relationship between Del Rio and Laughlin,” said Blanca Larson, Del Rio Chamber of Commerce executive director. “Philip Ricks was a leader on many levels in our community and a huge supporter of Laughlin. The fact the Air Force honored him and our community by putting his name on a building means so much.”
Lonnie Ricks, Philip’s son, said the building’s naming means so much. “I remember in June 1984 when it was originally dedicated. It meant a lot to me then and it means so much more now.”
Lonnie was joined by his wife and family, sitting beside him watching the festivities and wielding a sledgehammer to smash the door. “Words really can’t say how much all of this means,” he said afterwards.
Meaning that runs deep for his family and the Del Rio community.
