Runway construction begins

Wednesday, April 24, 2002

Mountain Home AFB will be engaged this summer in one of its busiest construction seasons since the base was first built and B-24s ruled the skies.

Throughout the summer, more than 15 independent major contracts will be ongoing to improve our base's critical infrastructure and quality of life, according to Capt. Mark Slominski of the 366th Civil Engineer Squadron. "In one way or another, these efforts will impact the daily activities of every member of the wing," he said.

"We've all heard of the summer runway project, but what seems like a large scale paving job at first glance is actually an orchestrated effort with ten separate contracts and six different contractors. These projects total more than $24 million and will ensure the health of our critical infrastructure for the next ten to 15 years."

Largest in scope are two independent efforts to be performed by the same contractor, resulting in a complete runway resurfacing and replacement of the "transient" ramp located in front of the base operations facility. The runway project replaces the first 1,300 feet of each end of the runway with 16 1/2-inch thick concrete to improve the durability of aircraft touchdown zones. It then mills and overlays the asphalt between the touchdown ends, leading to a new airfield surface over the entire 13,500-foot length of the runway. The runway project also keeps future improvements in mind, installing a conduit for a future water line that will transport treated wastewater to the golf course for irrigation.

The transient ramp project replaces the last remaining asphalt aircraft parking apron with much improved concrete and asphalt totaling more than 640,000 square feet of paving.

With the wing's aircraft scheduled to leave in mid-May until mid-September for other locations to facilitate the runway project, the wing has aggressively worked other projects that would benefit from having airfield operations shut down. That led to an additional eight projects that include replacing the instrument landing system, performing environmental remediation on several sites, upgrading the airfield approach lighting, installing a new main sewer line around the north end of the runway, repairing a major drainage ditch that is currently an airfield hazard, replacing a portion of Alpine Street, repairing a portion of the JP-8 fuel hydrant system and replacing 135 slabs on taxiway Alpha.

To streamline the coordination and execution of those diverse projects, the wing formed an airfield working group and established a special-duty airfield construction team.

"At one point this summer, you'll be able to stand on the airfield and see construction going on 360 degrees around you," said 2nd Lt. Joe Olsen 366th CES airfield construction team.

"The airfield projects are just part of a busy summer that includes deploying portions of the wing to the Middle East and Gowen Field in Boise as well as working force structure changes." said Lt. Col. Thomas Goffus, wing project officer for this summer's efforts.

Teamwork is important to the success of this summer's construction.

"The teamwork to make this happen has been phenomenal," said 366th Support Group project coordinator, Scott Mayberry. "Personnel from logistics group, operations group, contracting, the Army Corps of Engineers, security forces, communications and civil engineer squadrons are all working toward a common goal."

Gunfighter aviators and maintainers have already seen the first steps of the work with a temporary aircraft barrier and new runway markings in place to kick off the runway project. To facilitate all of those construction efforts, enhanced security procedures will be put in place. Signs are now in place directing airfield construction traffic to a newly opened construction gate that ties the north end of the runway to the Grand View Highway. This gate is reserved for airfield construction traffic only.

Future security efforts will improve the ability of the contractors to complete their work while protecting wing resources after the airfield is closed. New traffic routing will be established to access facilities along Alpine Street to include the government vehicle fuel station.

"From the first contract kick off March 22 through completion of the last, airfield project in November, the base is in for an amazing facelift," said Slominski.

Whereas the runway projects improve the mission infrastructure of the base, ongoing housing construction will enhance the Gunfighter quality of life.

Phase II housing construction continues through the summer, with a goal of moving junior enlisted families into the replacement housing this year.

Framing and exterior finishes are complete as well as roads and major utilities. "A summer of dedicated interior finish work and landscaping will provide quality new housing for our military members," Slominski said.

While Phase II wraps up, Phase III construction is already underway.

An electrical conduit installed along Aardvark Avenue is the first step of that project. Phase III will then build additional houses between the Phase II construction and the base hospital. By the time Phase III is complete, the wing will have replaced more than 110 housing units with new, state-of-the- industry housing.

By federal law, the base is limited to the number of housing units it can have. The latest work is part of a long-term project that has gone on for several years to totally replace or renovate all the base housing, some of which had been built during WWII.

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