LUKE AFB, Ariz. (Aug. 7, 2012) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District Arizona/Nevada Area Office’s Roadrunner Resident Office is preparing for a busy season at the base.
The office is preparing to award between $90 and $110 million in work following the U.S. Air Force Secretary Michael Donley’s Aug. 1 Record of Decision announcement that the base had officially been selected as the location of the Air Force's F-35A Lightning II pilot training center. According to the announcement, the base will receive 72 aircraft and accompanying personnel for a total of three fighter squadrons.
“This is very significant for us,” said Troy Olson, resident engineer for the Roadrunner office. “We’ll have 20 of our people out at Luke for the duration of the projects there.”
Olson said his office is working to award more than $20 million in Operations and Maintenance work at the base associated with the F-35. He said there is also more than $70 million in Military Construction work currently on tap to be awarded by the end of the month. The largest construction project is the Academic Training Center. Others include Aircraft Maintenance Units and operations buildings for the new squadrons.
“It’s great knowing the work we do will provide support for this vital mission,” Olson said. “The F-35 is the next generation of aircraft and being able to ensure our Air Force personnel have the most up-to-date facilities to work and train in is important to me and to the people I work with.”
Olson said he is expecting the project to provide a significant economic impact on the area. He and his team are preparing to help process more than 3,000 passes for civilians who will be working on the project. Construction on the new facilities is scheduled to begin in October.