Last modified Wed., March 14, 2007 - 07:36 PM
Originally created Thursday, March 15, 2007

Groundbreaking ceremony kicks off new helo hangar project

By MC1 (AW) Melissa Robertson-Leake, Staff Writer

Ground was broken March 7 for the new hangar which will house the SH-60 Romeo aircraft beginning in the fall of 2009.

A groundbreaking ceremony to begin the project for a new state-of-the-art helicopter hangar at NAS Jacksonville was held March 7. The new facility is being built by Walbridge Aldinger Company and will cost approximately $73 million. It will provide hangar space for multiple SH-60B Seahawk helicopter squadrons until they are replaced by the MH-60R Romeo by 2015.

To make room for the new hangar, Hangar 122 is being demolished after supporting numerous squadrons and different types of aircraft for the past 66 years. "Personally, this hangar holds a lot of memories for me. I stood in this parking lot and watched the space shuttle Challenger take off in January 1986," said NAS Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Chip Dobson, who gave the opening remarks during the ceremony. "Today is a great day and a significant day in the history of NAS Jacksonville. We are shifting to the future by making a major recapitalization along the flight line into the 21st century. The new hangar complex is designed for and will house the SH-60 Romeo aircraft and will enhance the warfighting capability of the Navy for the future."

Dobson went on to commend installation staff members, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast and the many private industries for the planning of a great product for future generations of personnel.

The construction project will support expanding helicopter deployments and optimize airfield investments at NAS Jacksonville. The first Romeo squadron is scheduled to arrive in 2008, with the last one arriving in 2013.

Photos by MC1 (AW) Melissa Robertson-Leake NAS Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Chip Dobson demolishes part of old Hangar 122 in preparation for construction of the new helicopter hangar.

The new hangar is designed to house five Romeo helicopter squadrons, which includes 55 aircraft and more than 1,600 personnel. In addition to the hangar bay, the project includes required maintenance support, administration and building support spaces for each squadron. The project also includes a dual position helicopter wash rack along with site improvements such as utility infrastructure, repair/replacement of hangar aprons and tie-downs, new aircraft pavement markings, security fencing and gates, pedestrian circulation and parking lots.

Walbridge Aldinger Company has been contracted to construct the new hangar. The company was founded in 1916 and is ranked 43rd in overall construction in engineering news record. The company has an exemplary safety record and has constructed the two largest commercial maintenance hangars in the United States.

"We are building a state-of-the-art, very efficient, advanced designed facility," said Ronald Hausman, president of Walbridge Aldinger Company Heavy Civil Division. "Its an extreme honor for us to participate in this event providing this beautiful hangar project for you. We are committed to delivering a safe, quality and economical hangar project on time and under budget. This job is a tribute to those men and women who will appreciate this new facility and will use it for decades."

The ceremony concluded as Dobson climbed on a backhoe and began demolishing part of the old hangar. The new hangar, which will be known as Hangar 1122, is expected by be completed in late 2009.