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New LCS Operational Training Facility Coming to NS Mayport

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS161117-28
Release Date: 11/17/2016 3:57:00 PM

By Earl Bittner, NAVFAC Southeast Public Affairs Office

Jacksonville, Florida (NNS) -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a $25 million contract Nov. 15, to Sauer, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida, for the construction of a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Operational Training Facility at Naval Station (NS) Mayport, Florida.

"Awarding this contract marks another significant step in supporting additional homeporting of Littoral Combat Ships at NS Mayport," said Capt. David Yoder, commanding officer, NS Mayport. "The LCS program is a key element of our future Navy and we fully support the development of critical infrastructure that will ensure NS Mayport's ability to effectively and efficiently serve as the East Coast homeport for these innovative ships."

Plans call for the construction of a steel-frame, reinforced concrete multi-story specialized training facility with standing seam roof and pile foundation. The building will include systems trainers, simulators, classrooms, personnel support space, a high-bay operational training area and applied instruction space specifically designed to train personnel for the Freedom Class (LCS 2) platform which will be homeported at NS Mayport.

All training will be performed within the LCS Operational Training Facility with no training taking place on the actual ships.

"Training of LCS crews is unique and is a key enabler to operating these ships," said Yoder. "The small crew size and multi-crewing is a departure from traditional Navy manning concepts. Operational demands on the small, rotating LCS crews will not allow sufficient time for underway instruction as is practiced in legacy crewing concepts. LCS sailors must therefore report to a seaframe ready to deploy for a mission, stand watches and carry out their other duties prior to deployment."

The project will provide Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) features and comply with AT/FP regulations, and physical security mitigation in accordance with DoD Minimum Anti- Terrorism Standards for buildings. Built-in equipment includes a passenger/freight combination elevator, raised access flooring, twin boom expandable crane (TBEC) and supporting infrastructure and an emergency generator.

The new facilities will meet LEED ratings and comply with the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Special construction features include additional structural framing for the TBEC, additional ventilation for the diesel forklift, special premium heavy duty flooring in the high-bay training area, additional heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), moveable partitions in the classrooms and construction features to accommodate future expansion.

Paving and site improvements include grading, parking for approximately 225 vehicles, access roads, curbs, sidewalks, landscaping, fencing, signs, replacement tennis courts, replacement gazebo/shelters, and a concrete pad for TBEC launching simulations.

Several facilities will undergo demolition to make way for this project including several tennis courts, a gazebo, picnic shelters, a maintenance storage shed, a satellite fitness center and storage building.

The new facility is expected to be completed by April 2018.