Chapel annex construction to be complete in November

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cody R. Miller
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Chapel 2 is receiving renovations to improve the chaplain’s ability to delivery excellent spiritual support to the base populace.

The Air Force Chaplain Corps provides spiritual care and the opportunity for Airmen, their families and other authorized personnel to exercise their constitutional right to the free exercise of religion. This is accomplished through religious observances, providing pastoral care and advising leadership on spiritual, ethical, moral, morale, core values and religious accommodation issues.

The renovations to Chapel 2 will help Tyndall’s chaplains accomplish these goals and improve upon their standard of care.

“The construction occurring adjacent to Chapel 2 is an annex,” said Maj. Ismael Rodriguez, 325th Fighter Wing chaplain. “It will be 3,000 square feet and equipped with a full kitchen. This area will be primarily used for base wide functions such as retirements, promotions, CAF days and unit holiday events to name a few. Chaplain Corps-specific functions would include Bible studies, religious education and fellowship related events.”

As visible reminders of religious beliefs, chaplains directly or indirectly provide for the free exercise of religion for Airmen.

“The annex will enable to Chaplain Corps to reach out to a wider demographic of the base,” Rodriguez said. “Rather than just chapel-specific events, we will be able to house unit-centric events as well.”

The role of supporting Airmen in their spiritual fitness is important, and the chaplains receive extra help from chaplain assistants. These enlisted personnel facilitate the free exercise of religion for Airmen and their families. They are assigned at all levels of command to assist with spiritual care and ethical leadership.

“The chapel supports the entirety of the base, and our resources are available for all,” Rodriguez said. “We have a growing population of personnel who are involved in various programs and services that we offer. Chaplains have the privilege to serve all military families, to include dependents, active duty, guard, reserve, Department of Defense and other authorized personnel.”

Construction on the project began in May 2015 and is scheduled to be completed in late November 2016.

For more information on the Chapel 2 annex construction, call 850-283-2925.