AFRL officially welcomes new fitness track Published Sept. 24, 2012 By Air Force Research Laboratory Detachment 7 EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Airmen working at Air Force Research Laboratory Detachment 7 recently received a new tool to keep them "Fit to Fight." A new 400-meter rubberized running track was built onsite. Construction was initiated by base 412th Test Wing Civil Engineering Division and was overseen by the Army Corps of Engineers with Granite Construction executing the project. Funding of the track is part of Office of the Secretary of Defense's $20.6 million funding effort provided to accomplish an Air Force-level fitness program initiative for select Operation and Maintenance fitness projects at installations throughout the Air Force. Construction of the running track cost $565,000 and provides a professional grade running surface to AFRL Airmen and civilian workforce. AFRL officials say having this track available allows military members to train and test at their own facility, which will save hours of travel time and hundreds of dollars in fuel and vehicle maintenance costs because AFRL members no longer have to travel to the main base for fitness requirements. They also say it provides a safer alternative to the running trails used by runners.