On September 10, 2024, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to formally announce the beginning of the Air Force’s first commercial apartment complex at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The ambitious project, which will feature 142 apartments with a total of 246 beds, aims to alleviate the current housing shortage for service members stationed at Edwards and potentially other similar remote and isolated installations.

Below is a list of media coverage from the event:

Edwards Air Force Base moving forward to build apartment complex on base Tehachapi News, 15 Sept https://www.tehachapinews.com/news/edwards-air-force-base-moving-forward-to-build-apartment-complex-on-base/article_febef824-73d9-11ef-b7dc-0723646613a3.html

At famous home for test pilots, the Air Force is testing a new approach to housing Task and Purpose, 13 Sept https://taskandpurpose.com/military-life/edwards-air-base-private-apartments/

Groundbreaking: Edwards Air Force Base announces new apartment complex 23 ABC Bakersfield, 11 Sept https://www.turnto23.com/news/in-your-neighborhood/california-city/groundbreaking-edwards-air-force-base-announces-new-apartment-complex

"Family demographics have changed. We have a lot of single individuals entering the Air Force who do not necessarily have families. So having an on-base, safe, affordable option for single airmen to be able to get a house on the installation is great," says Col. Joel Purcell, Commander, Civil Engineer Group, Edwards AFB.

First apartments on an Air Force base will be built at Edwards Bakersfield Californian, 12 Sept https://www.bakersfield.com/news/first-apartments-on-an-air-force-base-will-be-built-at-edwards/article_1f651ac0-7120-11ef-9d9a-7300d5346a5c.html

“There's a reason that we like to say we live for first in flight test and to that long list of historic firsts that have taken place here Edwards Air Force Base, I am so thrilled that we now get to celebrate one more: the Air Force's first commercial apartment complex.”

Groundbreaking ceremony marks start of new housing at Edwards AFB Bakersfield Now, 12 Sept https://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/groundbreaking-ceremony-marks-start-of-new-housing-at-edwards-afb-construction-depeartment-of-defense-southern-california-bakersfield-ridgecrest-california

Air Force’s First-Ever Private Apartment Complex Officially Coming to Edwards Air and Space Forces, 10 Sept https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-private-apartment-complex-edwards/

“Just about everyone has more demand than they have availability. We’re no different,” Col. Joel Purcell, commander of the 412th Civil Engineer Group at Edwards, told Air & Space Forces Magazine. “But we hope that we’re going to be able to take care of some of the 307 unaccompanied member shortage with the apartments.”

Air Force's First Privatized Apartment Complex Set to Go Up at California Base Military.com, 11 Sept https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/09/11/air-forces-first-privatized-apartment-complex-set-go-california-base.html

Col. Douglas Wickert, 412th Test Wing commander, said in the press release that Edwards has been home to many firsts: breaking the sound barrier, the first flight of the B-2 Spirit, and now the base can "celebrate one more: the Air Force's first commercial apartment complex."

Edwards scores housing ‘first’ Antelope Valley Press, 11 Sept https://www.avpress.com/news/edwards-scores-housing-first/article_eac0314e-6ff1-11ef-97cb-073bd6d1c807.html

Air Force and base officials gathered Tuesday to celebrate preparations for the first commercial apartment complex in the Air Force, a project that will provide much-needed housing for the bustling base. “We test things here; why not test apartment complexes as well?” 412th Test Wing Commander Col. Douglas Wickert said.