AFRL groundbreaking puts fitness on the right track Published Oct. 19, 2011 By Debbie Spotts Air Force Research Laboratory Detachment 7 EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Col. Mike Platt, Air Force Research Laboratory Detachment 7 commander, performed a ground breaking ceremony, Oct. 11, marking the beginning of construction for the new 400-meter rubberized running track that will be constructed at AFRL. "While it has taken a while to get to this starting point, I think this track and all the other Det 7 fitness projects funded through this OSD [Office of the Secretary of Defense] initiative will provide our airmen, both military and civilian, great opportunities to stay fit and healthy for years to come," said Platt. Funding for the track is part of OSD's $20.6 million fitness program initiative for select operations and maintenance fitness projects at installations throughout the Air Force. The track will support servicemembers, civilians and contractor personnel in maintaining their fitness, ensuring their continued health and readiness to execute the AFRL and Air Force missions, Platt said. This project was developed by AFRL, Det 7, initiated by base civil engineering and will be overseen by the Army Corps of Engineers with Granite Construction executing the project. "I'd like to thank the 95th Air Base Wing, Civil Engineering, Force Support Squadron and the Army Corps of Engineers for their efforts to make this project a reality," said Platt. Construction of this track, at a cost of $565,000, will provide a professional grade running surface to help keep the work force fit to fight, Platt said.