Eloy Alfaro Air Base
Manta, Ecuador
Eloy Alfaro Air Base in Manta is one of five primary Ecuadorean Air Force air bases. The "source zone" (SZ) -- Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia -- is USCINCSO’s number one counterdrug (CD) priority and several steps are being taken to increase the US presence there. The detection and monitoring coverage shortfall is mainly driven by the physical condition of FOL Manta, Ecuador, which restricts US forces to single plane, Day Visual Flight Rules operations. The result has been fewer hours flown over southern Colombia and the rest of the SZ than desired. USCINCSO has directed the Air Force component commander to develop a plan to increase the capability of the airfield as soon as possible. By 31 March 2000 the year the US achieved the capability to fly 3 aircraft from Manta at night and in any weather. This went a long way toward overcoming the current coverage shortfall. Longer-term, the US is addressing some other infrastructure deficiencies at the FOLs, such as ramp space and support, operations, and maintenance facilities.
The F-15 and F-16 fighters that protect the AWACs — known as Coronet Nighthawk — are flying from three forward operating locations: the Dutch Caribbean islands of Curacao and Aruba, and Ecuador. The three bases are closer to South American drug-producing centers and Caribbean trafficking routes.
The Department of State (DOS), which has the lead on securing long-term access agreements, concluded a 10-year agreement with Ecuador in November 1999. In 1999 the 12th US Air Force was tasked with providing support, literally overnight, to the Forward Operating Location (FOL) at Manta, Ecuador but had no assets available to complete the mission. They called for LOGCAP to provide two Spanish speaking FAA qualified Air Traffic Controllers to support flight operations out of this remote Ecuadorian Air Force Base. LOGCAP is a US Army initiative for peacetime planning for the use of civilian contractors in wartime and other contingencies. These contractors will perform selected services to support US forces in support of Department of Defense (DoD) missions. Use of contractors in a theater of operations allows the release of military units for other missions or to fill support shortfalls. This program provides the Army with additional means to adequately support the current and programmed forces. LOGCAP is primarily designed for use in areas where no bilateral or multilateral agreements exist. While happy with LOGCAP, the Air Force transitioned the program to their own AFCAP program as soon as it was available.
The US is spending $62 million to expand and improve the Manta runway and build hangars, dormitories and a dining hall. The number of US servicemen assigned to Manta has risen to 125 and that figure will reach 400 after construction work is completed in October 2001. At that point, AWACS surveillance planes and tankers to refuel them will replace smaller Navy aircraft, allowing the US to monitor air and marine activity far into the Caribbean. That will allow resumption of US anti-drug surveillance flights which were cut by two-thirds when US forces evacuated Howard Air Force Base in Panama in 1999.
In February 2000 the Mobile District, US Army Corps of Engineers completed a major design review conference on an Air Force Forward Operating Logistics base (FOL) which they will be constructing in Manta, Ecuador. This project will include horizontal and vertical construction projects to support US Counterdrug operations in the region. This multimillion-dollar project will last at least a couple years. On August 17, 2000 Abba Susa-Cegaz, a joint venture, North Brunswick, N.J. was awarded a $30,797,499 firm-fixed-price contract for milling the existing runway, constructing a concrete aircraft turn around, a concrete touchdown at each end of the airfield and replacing the milled asphalt. The work will consist of overlaying the taxiways and one existing apron, in addition, two additional asphalt surface layers will be added above original grade. A new concrete aircraft apron will be constructed to handle four large frame aircraft and four medium frame aircraft. The work will also include storm drainage, grading sub-grade work, runway/taxiway lighting, generators and electrical power distribution. Work will be performed at Manta Air Base, Ecuador, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2002. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were 187 bids solicited on April 4, 2000, and eight bids were received. The US Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity, (DACA01-00-C-0025). On December 21, 2000 ABBA SUSA-CEGAZ, a joint venture, North Brunswick, N.J., was awarded an $18,394,514 firm-fixed-price contract to design/build a Visiting Airmens' Quarters/dining facility, Visiting Officers Quarters, Maintenance Hangar/nose dock/apron expeditionary fire/crash rescue station, Expeditionary Squadron Operations/AMU Storage and expeditionary maintenance facilities to be located in Manta, Ecuador. Work will be performed at the Manta Air Base, Ecuador, and was expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2002. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were 187 bids solicited on May 12, 2000, and four bids were received. The US Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity (DACA01-01-C-0003).
