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Grissom runway project on track to meet deadline

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mark R.W. Orders-Woempner
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. - --  According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Grissom's runway construction is on track to meet its July 15 deadline to reopen the airfield.

"From the reports, the project is progressing very well, and we'll be very excited to get our KC-135s back to Grissom as soon as we can," said Col. Doug Schwartz, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander.

Nearly all of Grissom's 16 KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft are currently operating out of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, during the construction.

The $3.2 million project kicked off June 1 with a projected 45-day timeline, although USACE engineers had said that could be delayed slightly due to weather conditions.

"Every effort is being made to make sure this project is done on time," said John Robison, 434th Civil Engineer Squadron chief engineer, who added the crews have been working 12-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week to stay on target. "They've had to stay flexible to deal with the weather, but they appear to be on track."

The project was originally slated to be done over 120 days, but 434th ARW personnel worked with the USACE to reduce that timeline down to 45 days.

"We're doing this to prevent buckling of the runway due to thermal expansion," explained Robison. "The pavement heaves up during the summer time, so we are going to replace expansion joints in the pavement that allow it to move around and prevent an unlevel pavement surface."

Six one-inch expansion joints are being replaced, and parts of the runway and taxiway surfaces are being repaved.

"When we have to close down the runway, we make sure to do multiple projects at a time to limit the time it's closed," said Robison. The last time Grissom closed its airfield was in 2004 for a similar project.

Grissom officials have said the project is necessary for both military and civilian aviation use.

"At the end of the day, these repairs are absolutely necessary and will benefit both military and civilian aviation for years to come," said Col. Bryan Reinhart, 434th ARW vice commander, who oversaw the project's kickoff.

The 434th ARW at Grissom is the largest KC-135R unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airman and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer