The U.S. Army Reserve’s 99th Readiness Division hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 15 to officially open its new Army Reserve Center here.

This state-of-the-art facility replaces two older structures in Dover and Lewes, allowing the Army Reserve to consolidate services into a single facility to enhance Soldier readiness and save taxpayer money.

“The Army Reserve is more relevant today to the defense of our nation than at any time in our history,” said Maj. Gen. Rodney Faulk, 99th RD commanding general. “The active-duty Army depends upon the capabilities resident in the Army Reserve to support Total Force mission requirements.

“We do this by deploying units that are trained, manned and equipped to win our nation’s wars,” he continued. “Without facilities like the one we are dedicating today, providing these ready units and Soldiers would not be possible.”

Distinguished guests at the event included Newark Mayor Stu Markham, Delaware Army Reserve Ambassador Stephan Murphy, 99th RD Command Sgt. Maj. Subretta Pompey, and retired Maj. Gen. Hugh Broomall, state chair for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for Delaware.

“What a fantastic facility for your Soldiers,” Broomall said to Faulk.

The 32,000-square-foot training center, 10,500-square-foot organizational maintenance shop, and 3,000-square-foot unheated storage building offer the latest in training and administrative resources.

“Our facilities provide venues to conduct training, build camaraderie and unit cohesion, and enhance the skills needed to ensure our Soldiers are ready to provide the capability the Army needs – wherever and whenever it is needed,” Faulk said. “This facility is a long-term investment in the future.”