Delaware National Guard cuts ribbon on new Dagsboro Readiness Center shop

The Delaware National Guard held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open a new, $12 million state-of-the-art field (vehicle) maintenance shop, at the Dagsboro Readiness Center July 13.

This facility, called "FMS #5," is designed to meet directed organizational and equipment changes within the Delaware Army National Guard, within the updated force structure. The new facility is designed to support all assigned vehicles specifications from the other DARNG field maintenance shops, according to Col. Fred Cost, DARNG's director of facilities.

"This building is designed for at least 25 years, and we expect at least 25 years on it," said Cost. "But don't be surprised if 40 years from now this building is still here."

With state maintenance resources located in one centralized facility, DARNG readiness will be significantly enhanced by providing a central one-stop maintenance facility which will be able to provide all maintenance functions, on-the-job-training and readiness.

"It's good for the Citizen Soldiers that they have a brand-new building to work out of," said Maj. Gen. Carol Timmons, adjutant general for the DNG. "They now have a great place to work, and a great shop to train and learn their skills."

In addition to FMS #5 being consistently used for training and readiness for Delaware Guardsmen, it can also be opened up to local residents when a disaster strikes, according to Timmons.

"During snowstorms, floods or hurricanes, it's possible that our fellow citizens and neighbors, who live on the coast and here in Sussex County, might have to get moved somewhere," said Timmons. "This facility is a great option to be able to move and house people, store equipment, even set up a medical site."