A groundbreaking ceremony was held at Torii Station Feb. 12 to mark the beginning of construction on two new facilities that will consolidate satellite communications operations, enable U.S. Army Garrison – Okinawa to gain energy efficiencies and improve force protection here. The projects, which include two new facilities at Torii Station and one at Fort Buckner, are designed to replace antiquated structures that are more than 45 years old and will feature state-of-the-art information technology and telecommunications systems that will help Soldiers and civilians support the 516th Signal Brigade lines of effort and mission essential tasks. “The addition of these buildings will assist in consolidating operations, while gaining more energy efficiencies and improving force protection posture,” said Lt. Col. Eric Martinez, U.S. Army Garrison Commander. “They will also increase the quality of life for Soldiers and civilians operating there by providing a world class work space with state-of-the-art technology,” he said. The two buildings at Torii Station should be completed in a year said Brad Bernstein, Information Technology Specialist, 78th Signal Battalion. A new 43,860-square-foot Information Services Facility (ISF) at Torii Station and a new 14,280-square-foot Battalion Administrative Facility will give Torii Soldiers an edge in wideband satellite communications, said Bernstein. “[The] overall goal is to provide new, operational, secure, modern and state-of-the-art communication facilities for the U.S. Army 78th Signal Battalion,” said Bernstein. [The new facilities] help the 516th Signal Brigade provide superior customer experience through cyber operations and defense, enabling leaders at all levels to conduct mission command and unified land operations throughout the Pacific,” he said. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Japan District is overseeing the construction of the $103 million project.