Representatives from the Army, Navy and contractor Watts Constructors LLC attended a blessing Friday for the Army's planned $25.4 million Wideband Satellite Communication Operations Center in Wahiawa.

Watts Constructors will build a 28,244-square-foot operations center that will enable the Army to provide 24-hour satellite communications.

The six-acre construction site is located at Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Pacific. The project was awarded by Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific to Watts on Dec. 30.

When completed, the new facility will provide 24-hour satellite control for communications of the military wideband satellite communications constellation, as well as commercial satellite communication resources which the building will also contain, the military said.

The Army unit that controls military satellite communications perform the job from California. However, the approximately 60-person unit will move to Hawai'i once the new building is completed.

"We are very excited about this project," said Lt. Col. Patrick Kerr, commander of the 53rd Signal Battalion. "This facility is linked in with five other operational centers around the world providing communications support. (Wahiawa) is a great strategic location and we are excited about this project's teamwork and partnership...and are happy to be a part of this joint team."

The satellite communications center will become the prototype for four additional facilities Fort Detrick, Md.; Landstuhl Heliport, Germany; Fort Meade, Md.; and Schiever Air Force Base, Colo., the Navy said.