Construction continues on the new control tower Published July 3, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Frank Casciotta 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Dirt is starting to fly at the construction site of the $9.44 million air traffic control tower that is scheduled for completion late spring and will stand 112 feet tall, nearly twice the size of the current tower. "This tower will have some more bells and whistles than the old tower," said Drew Bareiss, president of East Breeze, the company overseeing quality assurance on the construction. Some of the improvements included with the new tower are an elevator, better heating and air conditioning and a training simulator room on the ground floor. The similar room will also serve as a tornado shelter, said Bareiss.