The Joint Base Lewis-McChord Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB) opened the doors to its new barracks building Monday morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held in the courtyard of the $53 million facility.

Helping snip the ceremonial ribbon were U.S. senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, U.S. Congressman Norm Dicks, Madigan Healthcare System Commander Col. Dallas Homas, WTB Commander Lt. Col. Jason Wing, JBLM Garrison Commander Col. Thomas Brittain, Seattle District Commander for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Col. Bruce Estok and Mortenson Construction Vice President Craig Southorn.

The building will house more than 400 ill or injured Soldiers assigned to the JBLM WTB whose primary mission is one of healing.

"Unlike most Soldiers home from war," said Homas during the ceremony. "These Soldiers have a fight to win ... having an environment that facilitates healing and accommodates disabilities is essential."

Located adjacent to Madigan, the two, four-story barracks buildings can accommodate 408 Task Force Phoenix Soldiers in apartment-style suites. Some of the 204 two-bedroom suites come equipped with washers and dryers and private baths, and 42 of the rooms are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant. The facility also includes elevators, common rooms with TVs, pool and ping-pong tables and a covered courtyard with picnic areas and a basketball court. Soldiers should begin to move in next month.

Prior to the ceremony, Murray, Cantwell and Dicks toured the facility along with Homas and Cindy Scaparrotti, wife of I Corps Commander Maj. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti.

"I understand how critical this type of care is," said Murray, Washington's senior senator and the daughter of a disabled World War II veteran. "This WTB will provide crucial support to our nation's wounded Soldiers who are returning home."

Construction on phase two of the WTB complex, which will house the unit's headquarters and its Soldier and Family Assistance Center (SFAC), is set to begin soon and should be complete next year.

Photo caption: U.S. senators Patty Murray, center, and Maria Cantwell, left,  and U.S. Representative Norm Dicks cut the ceremonial ribbon on Monday officially opening the new Joint Base Lewis-McChord Warrior Transition Battalion Barracks. Assisting are, from left, Madigan Commander Col. Dallas Homas, JBLM Garrison Commander Col. Thomas Brittain, WTB Commander Lt. Col. Jason Wing, Seattle District Commander for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Col. Bruce Estok and Mortenson Construction Vice President Craig Southorn.