Work begins on final phase of Redstone complex

The technological vision of Dr. Wernher von Braun took another step forward Friday, military and elected leaders said, when construction on the final phase of the Missile Defense Agency's complex of buildings on Redstone Arsenal began during a groundbreaking ceremony.

When completed by early 2010, the $220 million, 800,000-square-foot Von Braun Office Complex will house more than 2,600 employees.

The office complex consolidates the majority of the Missile Defense Agency, or MDA, which serves all branches of the armed forces, on Redstone. The consolidation is part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission decisions, which move some 5,000 federal jobs to Redstone.

Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Mobile, said missile defense has become a proven reality with the shoot-down of an ailing American spy satellite in February. "The world was watching, and we proved to the world that missile defense will work," Sessions told about 500 people during the groundbreaking. "It's all due to much of the good work that goes on here in Huntsville."