AIR FORCE AIMS TO IMPROVE ON-BASE HOMES, OFFICER SAYS.

Byline: Jim Skeen Daily News Staff Writer

The Air Force will strive to improve the quality of life for its service members, particularly in the area of housing, the Air Force's top-ranking enlisted man said during a visit Wednesday to the Antelope Valley.

Air Force bases have 60,000 Air Force houses in dire need of repair, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David J. Campanale said. At the present rate of funding, however, it would take 34 years to put housing into satisfactory shape.

"We still have a lot of sore spots we need to fix up," Campanale said. "I would assess housing in the Air Force as marginal."

The Air Force is exploring other alternatives, such as creating partnerships with private industry, he said. One idea would be for the Air Force to enter into long-term lease agreements as an incentive for developers to provide affordable housing.

Campanale is an adviser to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force on matters concerning welfare, effective utilization and progress of the enlisted members of the Air Force.

He made the comments during a stop in Lancaster before visiting Edwards Air Force Base. Campanale is scheduled to conclude his visit to the Antelope Valley today.

Campanale also said the resolution of the federal budget impasse will likely mean more money for service members both in basic pay and in the allowance given for housing.

Because of the budget impasse, a scheduled 2.4 percent pay raise and a 5.2 percent increase in the housing allowance were limited to 2 percent each. Once the budget is resolved, the pay increases will likely go into effect retroactively to Jan. 1.

Edwards Air Force Base is a prime example of the housing situation facing the Air Force, officials said.

Edwards is embarking on a campaign to build 1,020 new homes, and renovate 223 others to upgrade 1950s-era housing.

Edwards' plans call for the first 618 new homes to be built through the year 2007. The remaining 402 units will be designed and built as funding becomes available.

Work on housing was stalled in recent years because of uncertainty over which bases the Base Closure and Realignment Commission, or BRAC, would target for closure.

"BRAC caused it to be almost stagnant in these areas for four years," Campanale said. "People were afraid to invest in infrastructure in bases that might not be there."

With the BRAC process finished, there is a renewed effort to pursue "quality of life" issues, he said.

There is no problem getting people to enlist in the military and there is no problem getting people ready to take on tasks like the Bosnia peacekeeping mission, Campanale said.

"They want to know the families they left behind are being taken care of," Campanale said.

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Photo (color) David J. Campanale, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, discusses plans at Edwards AFB Wednesday to improve quality of life on bases. Jeff Goldwater/Daily News