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Construction Continues in Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080605-08
Release Date: 6/5/2008 3:31:00 PM

From Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast Public Affairs

BILOXI, Miss. (NNS) -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded an $18.5 million contract to W.G. Yates and Sons Construction Co., May 23, for the design and construction of a post office, training aids facility, refueler maintenance facility, and munitions inspection facility at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi.

This is a modification to a previous $73.8 million mega contract bringing the total contract award to $92.3 million.

"We're thrilled to have these projects awarded. They culminate the Hurricane Katrina-related investment in the recovery of Keesler Air Force Base and we're extremely proud of the efforts of everyone involved to make these projects a reality," said 81st Civil Engineer Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Jeff Szatanek.

The new post office will house all four agencies currently responsible for the base mail services, facilitating efficiency and security.

The new Training Aids Facility will offer high bay environments and support spaces to house the construction of fully operational training equipment for students in radar and satellite systems, guidance and control, and combat controllers. The project also includes construction of a new parking lot and demolition of two structures currently on the site.

"The new Training Aids facility will put dedicated professionals in a first-rate building designed from the ground up to accommodate their specialized fabrication capabilities and unique mission needs," said 81st Training Support Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Kevin O'Rourke. "The training devices my team builds are absolutely required to successfully train our Airmen, here at Keesler and around the globe. Our existing building was extensively damaged by Hurricane Katrina, so this contract award is very exciting news."

A new refueler maintenance facility to replace the existing facility that was damaged by high winds from Hurricane Katrina. The facility supports aircraft fueling vehicles and will provide interior maintenance bays and administrative support spaces.

The new munitions inspection facility will provide for phased inspection of flares and other munitions together with base level maintenance, as required.

The projects were combined into the mega contract to provide a larger base of work for the contractor and allow a faster and more efficient construction process for the facilities.

As part of the mega contract, three projects are already underway. They include the student dormitory, the Bay Breeze Events Center, and the fire crash rescue station.

All of the facilities are expected to be ready for occupancy starting in February 2010.

For more news from Naval Facilities Engineering Command, www.navy.mil/local/navfachq/.