At A Glance: Yokota C-130J Hangar
- Project: C-130J Corrosion Control Hangar (CCH)
- Location: Yokota Air Base, Japan
- Cost: ~$98.45 Million
- Milestone: Topping-Out (Final Beam Placed)
- Safety Record: 155,000 manhours without incident
- Key Partner: Gilbane Japan GK
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) and Gilbane Japan GK construction agency marked a key milestone with a topping-out ceremony for the C-130J Corrosion Control Hangar (CCH) currently under construction.
Awarded in September 2023 to Gilbane Japan GK, the project represents an investment of approximately $98.45 million in Yokota’s long-term mission readiness. During the initial phases of the project, 155,000 manhours elapsed without incident, marking a significant safety milestone.
The milestone symbolizes progress, safety, and teamwork among the project’s engineers, contractors, and partners as construction moves from heavy structural work into interior and systems installation.
The event celebrated the completion of the facility’s structural framework, a major step toward providing Yokota’s 374th Airlift Wing with a modern hangar capable of supporting the U.S. Air Force’s transition from the C-130H to the longer and more advanced C-130J aircraft.
“From across continents and cultures, professionals from Japan, the Philippines, the United States…and other nations, have come together with a shared purpose,” said Taylor, a project official speaking at the event. “This building stands as a testament to what we can achieve when we embrace inclusion, respect each other’s backgrounds, and work as one team.”
But it wasn’t just the personal aspect being celebrated. The team working on the CCH also achieved a substantial safety milestone as well.
“Safety is the foundation of everything we do, and I’m proud to share that we’ve reached a wonderful achievement—150,000 safe working hours on this project. That’s a testament to the vigilance, care, and culture of safety that every team member brings to the job site each day,” expressed Taylor.
The new hangar will feature approximately 4,226 square meters of space. It will include an aircraft restoration bay, abrasive blasting and surface preparation areas, paint mixing and application booths, drying and curing zones, as well as administrative and support spaces.
The project also includes the demolition of the existing 3,345-square-meter hangar and temporary renovations to Building 906 to house displaced units during construction. USACE JED engineers continue to provide oversight and quality assurance, ensuring that safety, schedule, and performance standards are met throughout the construction process.
Once complete, the new corrosion control hangar will allow maintenance teams to conduct full-spectrum corrosion prevention, cleaning, and repainting operations under controlled environmental conditions, critical to maintaining aircraft longevity and operational readiness.
“Today’s milestone reflects the dedication of everyone involved—from the construction crews on the ground to the engineers and project managers ensuring this facility meets the Air Force’s operational needs.”
Frequently Asked Questions: Yokota Hangar Project
Why is the new hangar necessary?
The U.S. Air Force is transitioning from the older C-130H to the advanced C-130J Super Hercules. The new hangar provides the larger, specialized space needed to perform corrosion control and maintenance on these longer, modern aircraft.
What facilities are included in the CCH?
The 4,226-square-meter facility is a “one-stop-shop” for maintenance. It includes an aircraft restoration bay, abrasive blasting areas for surface prep, paint mixing booths, and drying zones, allowing crews to strip, treat, and repaint aircraft entirely indoors.
What is the project’s safety record?
The team celebrated a major safety achievement during the topping-out ceremony: 155,000 manhours of work completed without a single recordable incident, highlighting the strong safety culture between USACE JED and Gilbane Japan.
