Frederick Hoyt, Author at America's Engineers

Groundbreaking ceremony, Minot AFB, ND, 15 Aug. 2023. (USACE photo)

A late afternoon groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 15 at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota marked the official start of construction on a new Helicopter Operations Tactical Response Alert Facilityfor the Air Force’s 54th Helicopter Squadron, 91st Security Forces Group's tactical response force.

Michael Nelson, USACE Project Engineer and John Denning, USACE Construction Representative from the USACE Omaha District’s Minot Resident Office will manage and provide oversight of this $129 million (approx.) project.

“The team and I are really looking forward to this project”, Nelson said. “I grew up not far from here and am glad to have this opportunity to support our Air Force partners here at Minot.”

This state of the art, 133 thousand square foot consolidated facility will have 11 helicopter bays, a flight training simulator, conference and classrooms and housing quarters, among other amenities.

Col. Kenneth McGhee, 91st Missile Wing commander gives remarks during a groundbreaking ceremony at Minot AFB, ND, 15 Aug. 2023. (USACE photo)

Jay Klaassen, Resident Engineer from the District’s Minot Resident Office represented the USACE team by participating in the groundbreaking ceremony.

The ceremony began with several keynote speakers including Air Force General Thomas Bussiere, commander, Global Strike Force Command, Col. Kenneth McGhee, 91st Missile Wing commander, and North Dakota Senator John Hoeven, among others.

Bryan Construction from Denver, Colo. is the commercial general contractor of this military construction project which is expected to be completed in early 2025.

Members from the USACE Omaha District team, Minot AFB, ND, Aug. 15, 2023. (USACE photo)

The 54th Helicopter Squadron provides helicopter security response for the 91st Missile Wing. The new facility will eventually house MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters which are replacing the UH-1, nicknamed the ‘Huey’.

For further information on the Omaha District’s military construction program, visit:

www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/Military-Missions/

Helicopter Operations and Training Facility site work preparation on F.E. Warren AFB, Cheyenne, Wyo. (Photo by Luke Case)

A recent groundbreaking ceremony at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming marked the start of construction on a new helicopter operations and training facility for the U.S. Air Force's 582nd Helicopter Squadron.

The new 135,000-square-foot facility will replace an existing one located on the southwest side of the air force base and will include a consolidated maintenance facility. The two-story structure will have offices, a simulation center, conference room and 11 helicopter bays that will house the new MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter.

Luke Case, a professional engineer from the USACE Omaha District's F.E. Warren Resident Area Office team reviews a set of construction plans. (Courtesy photo)

A team from the USACE, Omaha District’s F.E. Warren Resident Area Office are leading the multi-million-dollar military construction effort.

Luke Case, an engineer and project manager from the resident area office, said the success of this new facility will depend greatly on the efforts of the entire team including the contractor, sub-contractors, and contracting officer representatives.

“Managing this type of project is very rewarding for me, both professionally and personally,” Case said. “I see a lot of opportunity for professional growth here. I also enjoy working with all of the professionals and executives within the construction industry and with the district’s senior leadership.”

Participants gather for a group photo during a groundbreaking ceremony on F.E. Warren AFB, March 31, 2023. (Courtesy photo)

Case added that important project oversight is being provided by the team’s senior construction representatives Bruce Gurney, Matthew Mansfield and Steven Mobley, and Jake Mura the administrative contracting officer and area engineer for non-traditional military construction.

Col. Mark Himes, USACE Omaha District commander, provided opening remarks at the ceremony that was attended by military personnel, distinguished guests and community members.

“We have a team here of engineers, contractors, designers, and other personnel who are going to build a first-class facility,” Himes said. “Our chief engineer defines winning by safely constructing high-quality facilities on time and on budget, and that’s what we’re going to do here with this facility.”

To learn more about the Omaha District’s military mission and construction program, visit: https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/Military-Missions/

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