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CFAC Construction Improves Service in Korea

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090218-09
Release Date: 2/18/2009 4:02:00 PM

By Lt. Cmdr. Pamela Bou, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea Public Affairs

CHINHAE, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- This week, Sailors moved into the new $8 million Navy headquarters building, one of the many base improvement projects at Commander, Fleet Activities Chinhae (CFAC).

CFAC staff will work on the ground floor of the headquarters building, and the top two floors will be used by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea and Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet staffs during exercises.

"This is a state of the art building designed to help people communicate," said Michael Papale, IT project manager. "In the exercise work spaces, every desk has NIPR (unclassified network), SIPR (U.S. only classified network) and CENTRIX-K (ROK/U.S. classified network) drops and a phone."

Host nation funded construction built the 19,000 sq. ft headquarters and the U.S. funds were used for the C4I computer drops. The headquarters has a command center with a "wall of knowledge" where multiple screens of information can be displayed simultaneously, as well as an emergency operation center, video teleconference spaces, and conference rooms.

"Having the critical admin and operations functions co-located will improve productivity," said Cmdr. Andy Weedon, CFAC. "The new facilities and close proximity will make it much easier to collaborate on internal projects and improve the operational support to 7th Fleet."

CFAC, the only U.S. Navy base in Korea, is located on the southern tip of the peninsula, 40 minutes from Pusan. CFAC is one of the five major U.S. posts/bases in Korea that are scheduled to stay open when the U.S. Military presence shifts south of the Han River, which runs through Seoul.

The Fleet and Family Town Center and enlisted quarters are two other base improvement projects in progress to improve the quality of life for the 120 Sailors and their families who live in Chinhae and countless others who come for exercises.

"The new Fleet and Family Town Center will bring all the major base services together under one roof," said Lt. Cristina Suarez, CFAC Public Works officer.
"Currently, the Commissary, Exchange, Post Office, laundry, base restaurants, and recreation facilities are at eight different buildings throughout the base."

The Town Center would allow us to move out of seven outdated buildings, including a Quonset hut from 1958, said Weedon.

The Town Center design process began in November 2008, with expected construction expected to be completed in 2012. The projected cost is $18.8 million for the 40,000 sq. ft. building.

Public Works anticipates awarding a $1.05 million contract to repair existing rooms in the first floor and to build a second floor on the bachelor enlisted quarters in March 2009.

Base improvement projects that were recently completed include a distance learning center, solar security lights and solar water heater projects.

In November 2008, the Distance Learning Center ($361,000) opened, allowing high school students to teleconference to classes in Daegu American High School, a 90 minute commute. There is an American elementary school at CFAC, but no high school. Personnel also use the center for distance learning college classes after hours.

The solar security lights installed in early 2008 save electricity, but also prevented the need to run electrical wiring to remote locations around the base perimeter. The solar powered water heaters at three building will pay for themselves in less than 6 years and were funded by the Korean Government under the Logistics Cost Sharing Program.

CFAC, the only U.S. Naval base in Korea, provides service and material support to Sailors and visiting ships during peacetime, exercises and contingency operations. U.S. Navy ships typically conduct port visits in Pusan, Chinhae, Donghae, Pyeontaek, and Pohang.