TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Four facilities that support the 55th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, are being prepped for demolition to make way for a new LRS warehouse as part of the installation's flood recovery.
This military construction project was awarded as part of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s Natural Disaster Recovery Program’s $693 million plan to recover Offutt following the March 15, 2019, flood that left nearly one third of the installation damaged.
“The notice to proceed was issued on Oct. 18 and a pre-construction conference was held a week later,” said Don Fucik, program manager for Offutt’s flood recovery. “Currently, the contractor is mobilizing, preparing to bring in their construction trailers and setting up the construction site.”
Demolition will begin this month for the $19.5 million contract that was recently awarded to Medvolt-Komada JV to clear damaged buildings and construct the new 27,297-square-foot warehouse and a 63,765-square-foot storage area.
“This contract award is significant because it will replace flood-damaged facilities with one consolidated facility,” Fucik said. “This will increase efficiency and productivity by allowing both LRS administration and logistics personnel to function out of one building.”
The project will provide consolidated logistic and administration space, unit command offices, shipping and receiving operations, and approximately 18,000-square-feet of high-bay space for warehouse functions, and loading and unloading aprons. The project scope also includes an exterior ramp for loading and unloading aviation ground equipment and an exterior truck scale.
“Since the flood, we have had to limit our storage capability so our teams can consolidate into smaller footprints while executing our core competencies of distribution, materiel management and contingency operations,” said Maj. Chelsey McMasters, 55th LRS commander. “A consolidated facility will allow us to shorten shipping and response times as well as enhance our processes through timely collaboration.”
To increase resiliency and protection against future flood risks, the facility will be raised three feet above flood level.
Construction for the project is expected to be completed in April of 2023.