Pennsylvania Guardsman leads project providing new housing for homeless Cherokee vets

A Pennsylvania Air National Guardsman with the 171st Air Refueling Wing led the construction of seven homes for tribal members of Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, who are currently experiencing homelessness.

Senior Master Sgt. Mark Nicolia, the operations superintendent with the 171st Civil Engineer Squadron led the planning effort and the first portion of the Cherokee Veterans Housing Initiative during the spring and summer of 2022. This initiative is a three-year effort and is part of the Department of Defense's Innovative Readiness Training program, which will construct 21 homes for tribe members experiencing homelessness who are also U.S. armed forces veterans.

An aerial view of the Innovative Readiness Training construction site in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, June 2022. Construction is being completed for the IRT Cherokee Veterans Housing Initiative, which is a multi-year project that allows Guardsmen and Reservists from the Marines, Army, Navy and Air Force to build homes each year for Cherokee Veterans. (Courtesy Photo)

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