Hangar 2 renovations underway

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Andrea Valencia
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 325th Civil Engineer Squadron and the Army Corps of Engineers teamed together to renovate Hangar 2 in February 2012 and expect to complete the project by February 2013.

"A new squadron of F-22s is coming in and the hangars and facilities are being upgraded specifically to be able to accommodate them," said Mr. Scott Sheffield, 325th CES project manager. "The hangar used to be designed for the F-15 Eagles, and while they are similar in size and shape of the F-22, the requirements for the Raptor are different."

The construction includes renovation of the administrative offices, upgrades to the electrical systems and installation of a high-expanse foam system in the hangar bay.

"Fire safety is a big concern for both the planes and the people working on them," said Mr. Sheffield. "The new fire extinguishing high density foam is a better system. It can fill the hangar with six feet of foam in four minutes."

This construction project will also utilize many local companies, benefiting the surrounding communities and stimulating the local economy.

"Approximately 15 local subcontractors have been hired," said Ms. Dana Hobbs, Army Corps Engineer project manager. "Approximately 90 percent are companies from Bay County and the rest are from the Gulf Coast region."

Materials are ordered and obtained from local and regional vendors and are consistent with the "Buy American Act."

The 325th Fighter Wing will transition to Air Combat Command in a ceremony Oct. 1, 2012. The wing is expected to grow by nearly 1,000 additional personnel, add T-38 Talon aircraft and the 8th Fighter Squadron, the newly designated, combat-coded operational F-22 squadron.