Construction project provides functional space for Afghan Air Force aircraft

Photo By Cheryl Moore | The Tango Tech Building A maintenance bay is a perfect fit for the Afghan National Air Force fleet of light fixed wing UH-60’s. (Photo by LTC Malia Pearson)  

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN

10.31.2018

Story by Cheryl Moore 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Afghanistan District

A year-round functional space for maintenance of Afghan Air Force (AAF) aircraft was provided to the members of the AAF October 25. Following the final inspection of the Tango Tech Building A Conversion project, the new occupants were moving equipment, supplies, personnel, and even helicopters in by the following weekend.
This is the point when the USACE construction team, engineers, and the Local National Quality Assurance (LNQAs) team members look back at the days and hours of work put into this project and stand proud to have been a part of it. “It was truly a team effort with the support of our contracting team, the Afghan Air Force, and the Train Advise Assist Command leadership plus our partners in Kandahar,” said Afghanistan District Commander, Col. Jason Kelly.
The Tango Tech Building A Conversion project at the Kandahar Airfield (KAF) involved the conversion of a pre-engineered metal building, used as a maintenance building, to be transformed into a building that the fixed wing aircraft could access and have maintenance and equipment work performed.
The USACE Design-Build contract included the construction of a concrete apron for light aircraft leading from Tango Ramp to Building A. It also involved installation of aircraft tie-downs and modifications to widen the existing maintenance bay entrances and installation of a grounding system to support the aircraft maintenance.
Transatlantic Afghanistan District, Kandahar Resident Office awarded the contract in June 2017 to Assist Consultants, Inc. “This project, has had its share of challenges,” said Dennis Lindemeier, Project Manager, “and combined efforts of all parties involved has led to successfully overcoming those challenges in a timely manner.”
Not only does it add a functional UH-60 maintenance facility for the inbound Afghan National Air Force (ANAF) UH-60 fleet, the Kandahar Air Wing will expand to more than 3,000 airmen and Kandahar Air Field will be one of the ANAF training facilities, providing continued growth of the Afghan Air Force.
USACE is proud of its part in assisting our Afghan and other allies in supporting the development of Afghanistan. The District’s small piece is not just building facilities but also mentoring Afghan builders and tradesmen, for they are the cornerstones, along with the security forces in building the future of Afghanistan and providing brighter opportunities for all Afghans.

• Date Taken: 10.31.2018
• Date Posted: 10.31.2018 12:51
• Story ID: 298396
• Location: KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF