The Scott Air Force Base has unveiled its newly renovated data center.
Located in St. Clair County, Illinois, the data center is responsible for connecting 209 bases and enabling the operations of 11 combatant commands.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was hosted by Tech. Sgt. John Williams.
Revealed on August 5, the data center now spans 70,000 sq ft (6,503 sqm), having been expanded by 20,000 sq ft (1,860 sqm), and is the second largest US Air Force data center.
It has also seen several aspects of the facility modernized. This includes upgrading the communications systems, as well as electrical, HVAC, and structural infrastructure.
The renovations were funded by the contracting squadron, AMC, and various mission partners, including DISA, totaling $20 million.
This is the first major renovation effort on the site since 2020, which was instigated by flooding in 2016 caused by a sump pump failure.
The project was worked on by River City Construction (RCC). According to RCC's website, it comprised the "renovation of the existing facility into dedicated data center space with seismic retrofit of the building and raised floor system, replacement of air handling units, electrical upgrades, replacement of the chilled water loop, and installation of new data cabinets anchored to the new structural system. Work includes [the] construction of a secure administrative addition and new furniture."
According to Scott Air Force Base, systems were migrated "without service disruptions," citing support from AMC, USTRANSCOM, SDDC, HQCCC, and the 561ST.
The Scott Air Force Base dates back to the First World War, when the need to bolster armed forces saw a negotiation made to acquire 634 acres of land near Belleville, Illinois.
Construction on the base was completed in August 2017.
Today Scott AFB is the home of the 375th Air Mobility Wing, the 618th AOC (TACC), the 18th Air Force, Air Mobility Command, and the United States Transportation Command.
Earlier this year, the Air Force sought proposals for a $12.5bn enterprise IT-as-a-service contract to centralize its IT modernization efforts.
In January 2024, Viasat was awarded a $900m contract by the Air Force to prototype and test systems, hardware, software, and cybersecurity solutions for the USAF. The contract has an approximate five-year term, with options for up to an additional five years.
