Scope of work covered six MILCON projects, including a 189,000-sq-ft multibay, multistory hangar, a 70,000-sq-ft research, development, testing and evaluation (RDT&E) computer laboratory building, a 14,550-sq-ft air operations building and air traffic control tower, a 59,630-sq-ft single-story hangar with a 400-ft clear span box truss, a 17,270-sq-ft structural/aircraft fire and rescue station and an advanced warfare hangar apron. In total, these three buildings, laboratory and two hangars have more than 85,000 sq ft of ICD-705 secure spaces.

Photo courtesy South Airfield China Lake DB QC Team

A total of 26 design packages were developed for mass excavation, grading and 100-year storm flood protection alone. Crews completed 400,000 cu yd of earthwork and installed 40 miles of buried utilities and 1 million sq ft of airfield paving and built a 13.5-MW electrical distribution system.

All the design packages for each of the six projects ran simultaneously, giving the overall program a contiguous, single project approach. Throughout construction, the team resolved more than 4,000 design and construction submittals. To mitigate labor logistics because of the remote site, the team implemented a 4/10 work schedule and worked with the Navy to provide a berthing camp with full amenities to attract a qualified labor force. And given the remote site, construction materials, equipment and machinery had to be shipped in and managed by full-time logistics staff. Comprehensive site-specific safety and security orientation and training were augmented with daily tailgate meetings.