PYEONGTAEK, South Korea — U.S. soldiers at Suwon Air Base will soon move into renovated barracks with new bathrooms and floors, refrigerators, microwave ovens and Internet hookups.

The three-story buildings were overhauled for $2.7 million each and will house soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery, a Patriot missile unit that is part of the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.

"It’s definitely an important development," said Maj. John Mountcastle, 3rd Battalion executive officer. "It maximizes how much they can enjoy their time here at Suwon by having nice barracks to live in."

The battalion occupies a compound on the South Korean air force installation.

All but the structures themselves were renovated, Mountcastle said.

"So that’s everything from the walls to the floors to the new bathrooms, and everything in between for the most part," he said, including new windows, improved drainage systems around the buildings, and internal wiring.

He said the command also will install security cameras in the barracks.

Each building accommodates up to 180 occupants and has 90 rooms, as well as day rooms, common area kitchens, storage rooms for weapons, supplies, and other equipment and two laundry rooms. The buildings are also wired for cable TV and telephones.

Each room has individual heating and air-conditioning units, a bathroom, a refrigerator and a microwave oven and is being furnished with a bed, dresser, desk and shelving.

Workers are moving furniture into the buildings and troops should start moving in two weeks, officials said.

While the two buildings were under renovation, troops were housed in other barracks on the battalion compound.

Three more barracks are slated for eventual renovation, officials said. Daelim Construction Co. Ltd. carried out the renovation under contract with the U.S. Army Garrison-Humphreys. Work began in July.

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