F-22 parts storage facility nearing completion

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Andrea Valencia
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  A Fort Walton based construction company was awarded a $1 million contract to build a new addition and repair the F-22 Raptor parts storage facility.

GCC Enterprises, Inc., won the contract in September 2011 and began construction in April 2012. The project is scheduled for completion March 2013.

"The new 3,000 square foot vault is designated for securing F-22 parts and 800 square foot weapons vault expansion," said Jerry Spivey, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron project manager.

The new vault construction has been completed and the expansion on the weapons vault is scheduled to begin within the week.

"These facilities are very important to us getting jets in the air," said Lt. Col. Baskerville, 325th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander. "You can't fly without supply."

"The F-22 has a lot of classified parts that have to be secured and with the additional planes coming in more areas had to be created," said Pat Allen, 325th Logistics Readiness Division supply asset manager.

GCC Enterprises, Inc foreman, Kevin Carpenter, said the majority of the employees working on the project were locally hired, creating nearly 30 new jobs.

"We try and use companies that we've worked with before," said Mr. Carpenter. "We hired eight sub-contractors from this area."

GCC Enterprises acquired materials for the project from local suppliers, supporting the growth of industry in the Panhandle.

Tyndall will undergo a transition from Air Education and Training Command to Air Combat Command Oct. 1. The change requires adding additional support facilities, aircraft and personnel to the installation.