The Omaha District is currently partnering with the U.S. Air Force to renovate the Cadet Field House athletic facility at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This facility has been a cornerstone of athletic and academic life since its construction in the mid-1960s and has not undergone a major renovation since it was built.
The facility currently houses Clune Arena, a 6,002-seat basketball court, Cadet Ice Arena, a 2,502-seat ice hockey rink, a 293-yard six-lane indoor track with seating for 925 spectators, a 97-yard AstroTurf playing field, and a 2,309-square-foot athletic training room. More than just an athletic facility, the field house plays a role in fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among cadets. It often serves as a community space for various academy events, from sports competitions to ceremonies and social gatherings.
The facility is being upgraded to align with current NCAA Division I standards. Renovations include new basketball court flooring and powered primary basketball goals, updated hockey arena dasher boards, renovated facility locker rooms, and replacement of the entire HVAC system. Additionally, there will be general flooring rehabilitation and the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the facility. Exterior work includes roof replacement, roof anchor installation, and the expansion of roof drainage systems. The building envelope will be sealed, and fire-rated coatings will be applied to the existing steel roof structures to enhance fire resistance.
Construction also includes a state-of-the-art hydraulic banked running track. This specialized athletic track features an adaptable running surface that allows coaches and athletes to raise and lower the track surface at each end to specific angles of embankment, incorporating slope into the turns. This modernized feature helps athletes maintain their speed on turns and aids in minimizing potential injuries.
While the primary focus of the different phases of construction, that began back in 2021, address the upgrade of mechanical systems, fixtures and lighting throughout the building, as well as remediation of existing life safety issues and code deficiencies, each phase also provides improvements in isolated areas of the building to meet programmatic requirements identified by the USAFA Athletic Department. Upon completion, the Cadet Field House will fully support the rigorous athletic training requirements of NCAA Division I standards, allowing the USAFA to host Division I athletic tournaments in the future.
The United States Air Force Academy upholds an incredibly storied history of prestige and tradition. The academy was authorized in 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhauer and has been continuously graduating hundreds of newly commissioned U.S. Air Force officers annually in support of the national security of our Nation. This project underscores the commitment to developing leaders of character who exemplify the Air Force's core values of “integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District regularly partners with other Department of Defense agencies in these endeavors. These renovations enable the academy to continue providing world-class athletic training facilities for cadets, preparing them to excel as airmen in the most challenging environments.
This $133 million project began in 2018 and is scheduled to be complete by 2025.
The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center recently launched a large-scale soil washing effort to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl, or PFAS, pollutants at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.
The $27.6 million military construction-funded project is led by a joint team from the Air Force Civil Engineer Center and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District, and supports the Department of the Air Force’s effort to address PFAS at the close air support training installation. AFCEC is a primary subordinate unit of AFIMSC.
Soil washing is a closed-loop, water-based process that separates soil fractions and captures PFAS substances in granular activated carbon and ion-exchange resin filters, said Guy Warren, Project Manager at USACE’s Alaska District who manages onsite project execution.
This remediation technology has been in the market for the past three decades, but the partners have expanded its applicability to treat highly challenging fluorinated chemicals.
“This is the first-time soil washing has been used to treat PFAS-impacted soil,” said Michael Boese AFCEC Lead Restoration Project Manager at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
AFCEC awarded the contract through USACE in November 2022 to treat and dispose of 130,000 cubic yards of PFAS-impacted soil that had been excavated during a MILCON project to build infrastructure to house F-35A fighter squadrons.
The cleanup effort began in August 2023 and is projected to be complete in summer 2025.
“Both AFCEC and USACE teams bring deep technical, engineering and environmental knowledge and have played a key role in determining a viable and cost-effective technology to treat Eielson’s soil piles,” said Roy Willis, AFCEC Restoration Project Manager at JBER.
Prior to selecting soil washing for the Eielson project, AFCEC environmental restoration experts participated in two PFAS pilot studies at Eielson AFB funded by the Department of Defense’s Environmental Security Technology Certification Program. The pilot program provided a site-specific comparison of the cost and performance for two viable technologies – soil washing and thermal desorption.
Additionally, with the support of USACE, the Air Force conducted a similar soil washing study at Colorado’s Peterson AFB.
Data obtained from soil washing pilot studies showed high success rates achieving more than 99% PFAS reduction in the coarse soil fraction in Colorado and approximately 70% in fine-grained soils at the Alaska installation.
“We determined soil washing to be the most effective technology for the scale and scope of the Eielson project,” Willis said. “The team feels confident this technology will bring successful results.”
Since the project’s kick-off, Eielson’s treatment plant is fully operational and approximately 1,500 cubic yards of soil have been processed. Due to the weather, the field season will resume in May and run through September when the operation is expected to be in full swing and treating 30 cubic yards of soil per hour.
“Once the soil has been cleaned and deemed safe with no PFAS detection or levels below the Alaska state standards, it can then be repurposed for other projects,” Boese said. “However, if there is detection, we will dispose it within PFAS guidance.”
The restoration work follows the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation PFAS soil disposal standards.
Since 2017, AFCEC’s environmental team has been coordinating project requirements with the state and federal regulatory agents ensuring the selected remediation technology is fully approved.
Use of this technology at other Air Force sites will require a significant volume of impacted soil to make it cost-effective and similar soil type, Warren said. For example, PFAS soils with high clay content may not be suitable for this technology.
“We are excited to see the effort is already providing results,” Boese said. “The efficacy of soil washing technology will produce cost and performance data that will help DAF and our regulatory partners program and approve future remediation projects.”
On October 19, 2023, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to inaugurate the expansion of the Warehouses Service Agency (WSA) complex in Sanem, which is already the U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s (USAFE) largest depot on the continent. The Deployable Air Base System support and storage facilities project represents $100 million (€95 million) U.S. investment via the European Deterrence Initiative and will add more than 18,500 square meters or 200,000 square feet of additional facility space to the WSA. The project supports the readiness and responsiveness of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe, reinforcing NATO’s collective defense and deterrence.
The U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, Tom Barrett, underscored the importance of the expansion project: “This 100 million dollars in investment made here in Luxembourg is another demonstration of the U.S. commitment to European defense and to the NATO Alliance. This expansion project is part of our response to the rapidly evolving security context, which necessitates that all Allies continue to invest in modernizing our common defense and deterrence.”
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, François Bausch, emphasized: “Luxembourg and the U.S. share a long history of bilateral cooperation. With this new project, we keep the momentum alive. Authorities from the U.S., Luxembourg and the management of WSA have been working together over the last couple of years to make this extension project happen. This significant investment by the U.S. is proof and recognition that WSA is providing excellent services to USAFE. It echoes the continued commitment of the United States in Europe and in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.”
"This project will expand the already robust capabilities here at Sanem and bring increased capability and deterrence to protect our shared interests in Europe. As United States Air Forces in Europe evolves to meet current and future threats, this site represents the strong collaboration between the United States and the Government of Luxembourg, and I want to thank all the stakeholders from both governments that made today's groundbreaking event possible," commented Colonel Vinson, Logistics Readiness Division Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Headquarters.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District is managing the construction in coordination with the WSA and the Luxembourg Directorate of Defense. “This is the first project of this scale for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers here in Luxembourg and we’re excited to be working with our U.S. Air Force, U.S. Embassy and Luxembourg host nation partners on this impressive project,” said Europe District Deputy Chief of Engineering and Construction, Cheryl Fromme, while in Luxembourg for the ceremony. “Though it’s a newer location for us here, the mission is the same one that we’re proud to contribute to with our projects across Europe – supporting regional security by delivering facilities that enable U.S. forces and our allies and partners.”
The Warehouses Service Agency (WSA) was established and designated by the government of Luxembourg to perform the services set forth in a memorandum of understanding between Luxembourg and the United States dating back to December 1978. The WSA is mandated, by decision of the Government in Council of June 13, 1980 and November 6, 1981, to act in the name and on behalf of the State vis-à-vis NATO, the U.S. Army or any other military or civil authority. Since 1994, the Sanem site has been used for storing U.S. Air Force equipment.
Located in the city of Sanem, Luxembourg, the facility provides warehousing, logistical support and maintenance services for military equipment, goods and merchandise and works in close partnership with the 86th Materiel Maintenance Squadron of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). The facility houses USAFE's War Reserve Materiel (WRM), which includes vehicles, aerospace ground equipment, aircraft support equipment and various airfield support equipment. However, no weapons nor munitions are stored at Sanem.
WSA maintains, reconstitutes, and stores WRM in a posture to rapidly deploy worldwide within 24 hours for any contingency. In 2020, responding to a request by the Government of Luxembourg, the U.S. Air Force provided power generators and refrigeration units from the WSA facility to the Luxembourg Army to support Luxembourg’s temporary field hospitals in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.
The WSA facility provides over 200 jobs to the Sanem and Luxembourg community and contributes to local hospitality economy with large numbers of regular U.S. and NATO military visitors to the site.
The support and storage facilities project enhances the U.S. Air Force’s Deployable Air Base System, a concept which allows a collection of shelters, vehicles, construction equipment and other gear to be pre-positioned and moved to any place the Air Force needs to stand up air operations.
The Deployable Air Base System Support and Storage Facilities project will add more than 200,000 square feet of additional storage and maintenance facilities to the WSA. This includes:
This expansion project is funded through the European Deterrence Initiative. The United States established the European Deterrence Initiative in June 2014 after Russia invaded Ukraine and seized Crimea. The initiative was established to enhance the capability and readiness of U.S. Forces, NATO allies, and regional partners in Europe to deter Russian aggression.
(Courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg)
Conti Federal Services, a leading U.S. government construction and engineering firm specializing in military and secure construction, has been awarded a $43,924,087 contract for the construction of a B-21 Weapon Loader Training Facility at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota.
Awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Omaha District, the B-21 Weapon Loader Training Facility project is one of several major construction initiatives integral to the multi-year facilities beddown strategy for the B-21 program at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
The project entails renovating the base’s “Pride Hangar” ,which was originally built to house the B-36 aircraft, to allow for the creation of state-of-the-art weapons loader training (WLT) bays. This newly designed space will house mock-ups of an aircraft fuselage, facilitating advanced training activities related to weapons loading. Additionally, the project includes the renovation of administrative, training, and utility areas, enhancing the overall functionality and efficiency of the facility.
"This contract award win shows our commitment to supporting the national defense infrastructure of the B-21 beddown program at Ellsworth Air Force Base, and furthers our partnership with the local trade community,” said Ryan Kanzleiter, Conti Federal Regional Business Development Director. “We look forward to continuing our commitment and collaboration with the USACE Omaha District and other key stakeholders to ensure the successful completion of this vital training facility, further solidifying our role in shaping a safer and stronger future for our nation.”
With a track record of delivering high-quality construction projects, Conti Federal remains steadfast in its mission to support national security initiatives. This contract award represents further progress in the company expanding its regional presence and upholding its reputation for excellence within the industry.
Work is estimated to be completed on this project by September 2025.
Conti Federal is currently working on several mission-critical projects in the region in collaboration with the USACE Omaha District. These include the development of a B-21 RF Hangar Facility at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, a DRP Formal Training Unit building renovation at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota, a helicopter operations facility at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and an F-35 Fighter Alert Shelter at Truax Field in Madison, Wisconsin.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Great Lakes and Ohio River Division Commander Brig. Gen. Mark Quander visited Scott Air Force Base in Illinois Aug. 25, 2023, to see first-hand how the Louisville District is delivering key projects for the United States Air Force.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District has a long-standing partnership with Scott Air Force Base and has been constructing facilities there for more than 35 years as part of the district’s Military Construction Program. Currently, the Louisville District has three critical projects under construction on base totaling approximately $300 million.
Quander was able to visit those three projects during his visit. Among the projects toured was the Joint Operations and Mission Planning Center project—a 171,727 square foot facility that will house three Air Mobility Command units and one U.S. Transportation Command unit.
“Construction is nearly 70 percent complete with most of the work now focused on interior efforts,” said Jesse White, Project Engineer for the JOMPC project. “Expected completion is spring of 2024.”
Quander was also able to tour the ongoing renovation of Building 1600, known as the Air Mobility Command Headquarters. The $139 million project includes the complete interior and exterior renovation of the 314,000 square-feet facility.
“There are some challenges here, but it’s clear there is awesome people doing great work,” said Quander. “You’ve got a tremendous team here at Scott, and in Louisville. I just really, really appreciate how you’re navigating complexity, and it’s clear that everybody is all in to deliver these very critical projects for a customer who has a pretty significant national security interest for our country.”
Quander’s visit also provided Louisville District Commander Col. L. Reyn Mann with an opportunity to make her initial visit to the base. Mann, who assumed command of the Louisville District July 27, was anxious to see the district’s projects first-hand, and to meet the team on the ground.
“This is General Quander’s first visit and he’s coming here to Scott, so that’s how important you guys are,” said Mann to the Scott AFB Resident Office staff. “It was just great to spend time with our senior leaders today and to show them the projects.”
During the visit Brig. Gen. Quander recognized four project engineers for their contributions to the highly complex projects. Employees recognized were: Joel Switzer, Nolan Robben, Casey Spencer and Garrett Huff.
“This visit is great for our team,” said Brad Epplin, Scott AFB Resident Engineer. “It boosts morale and shows that Louisville and the entire region has our back and supports our projects and our mission here at Scott Air Force Base.” Epplin leads the team of 22 employees who makeup the Scott AFB Resident Office as they provide construction oversight and quality assurance for ongoing and planned projects on base.
“I have a lot of confidence in this team out here. You all are all over it,” said Mr. Joseph Savage, Programs Director for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Great Lakes and Ohio River Division. “Louisville team: you guys are consistent winners in terms of program and project delivery.”
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.
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.
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/
Zone 1 is the single largest military construction contract on record in the Air Force database. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $532 million contract towards 12 construction projects that will have direct impact on the incoming F-35A Lightning II mission.
Beginning in September 2022, construction on the Zone 1 complex has furthered the transformation of Tyndall into a high-tech, robust fighter wing. Built to meet the needs of current and future forces by incorporating resilient infrastructure, innovative designs, and novel technology, Tyndall will be able to equip Airmen to execute the mission of today and tomorrow.
“Currently, a lot of earth work is taking place,” said 1st Lt. Eric Long, Air Force Civil Engineer Center/Natural Disaster Recovery Division Zone 1 assistant project manager. “They’re doing surcharge right now, which is essentially placing large amounts of dirt on top of where the buildings are planned to be. This helps consolidate and squeeze out all the water in the soil to create a stable building area. Once the surcharge is removed, they will start putting foundations in.”
To save costs in the construction process, work is being done to re-use and re-cycle from preexisting resources around the zone. This includes the dirt from surcharging, water extracted from the ground, unexpected materials in the ground, and previously laid concrete from the flight line.
“Right now, the project is focused on Hangar 1 delivery so we can bring in the F-35s,” said Melissa Lewis, AFCEC/NDR Division Zone 1 project manager. “Everything is built in a dominoes effect. Anything that happens to Hangar 1 will then happen to Hangar 2, then 3, then the rest of the 12 projects.”
Zone 1 includes several aircraft hangars, a maintenance complex, group headquarters, aircraft parking aprons, aircraft support equipment storage, a corrosion control facility and an F-35A flight simulator training facility. Total completion is scheduled for January 2026.
“Even though this is such a large project, everything has been running smoothly because of the relationships and smooth communication we have with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Civil Engineers, contractors, and users,” said Lewis.
As each day passes, an immense amount of work is being done to transform Tyndall into the ‘Installation of the Future’. Zone 1 completion will be a huge accomplishment so the 325th Fighter Wing can project unrivaled combat airpower for America!
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.
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.”
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/
Construction is currently underway to build a $19.94 million Fire Rescue Center on Altus Air Force Base, located in southwestern Okla.
The project requires the construction of this facility to relocate the functions of the 97th Civil Engineering Squadron's firefighting personnel and their mission.
The new facility is designed for a total footprint of approximately 34,000 gross square feet in size, including spaces designed for common use.
According to Bruce White, a quality assurance representative and project lead for the Altus Resident Office, of the total GSF, approximately 13,350 square feet are needed to accommodate five pass-through vehicle bays to support 10 firefighting vehicles and equipment.
“The project includes 6,500 square feet for dormitory units to house a rotating firefighter staff of 17 personnel at one time to accommodate a 24-hour crew,” said White.
“The design also calls for a personal protective gear washer and dryer equipment spaces, a joint emergency call center for both Fire Department and on-base Security Forces, an educational learning center, self-contained breathing apparatus storage units, a fitness center with shower and separate locker rooms and a full commercial style kitchen area and day room.
Work on concrete stoops and sidewalks, parking lot, site swales, cuts for storm drainage, millwork installation, fire suppression drops, and interior finish is also in the works.
White further said several onsite meetings have been held regularly to ensure all design, safety and environmental requirements are met in accordance with required standards.
“The new Fire Rescue Center will be adequately sized and configured to provide fire protection and firefighting services for base facilities,” said 2nd Lt. Mitchell Hollman, 97th Civil Engineer Squadron project programmer. “It will also provide aircraft crash rescue and aircraft fire fighting services.”
