Many new buildings have been constructed at Robins Air Force Base in recent years, and now the base is getting rid of some old ones.

Some have already been demolished, and the base has a contract to demolish eight more buildings toward an effort to reduce the costs of owned and leased property by 20 percent, according to a news release. Some old railroad tracks and a concrete platform also will be removed.

“Demolishing these buildings not only reduces the energy we are using at Robins, but also creates opportunities for right-size facility planning, operational consolidation and allows us to recommend possible solutions for future growth and footprint reduction,” Otis Hicks, 78th Civil Engineer Group director, said in the release.

The buildings, plus four homes, will be demolished over the next year. Most of the buildings torn down are old and not cost-effective to repair, or are no longer needed, the release stated.

Four of the five vacant homes on Chief’s Circle will be torn down, with one left for historic preservation purposes.

In total, the demolition will result in the reduction of about 45,000 square feet.

Robins airman named Ultimate Wingman

A Robins airman awarded a Bronze Star with Valor earlier this year for heroics in Afghanistan now holds the title of Ultimate Wingman.

According to a news release, Master Sgt. Gene Jameson of the 689th Combat Communications Wing was among three military members in Georgia to be named an Ultimate Wingman by the Wingman Foundation.

He received the award Thursday at a banquet in Atlanta.

Jameson received the Bronze Star for his efforts in fighting a blaze caused by enemy fire at a base in Afghanistan. He battled through flames to remove two crates of explosives that could have gone off if reached by the fire, potentially killing dozens of troops.

Although not trained as a firefighter, his efforts in tackling the blaze were credited with saving the base.

To contact writer Wayne Crenshaw, call 256-9725.