Runway undergoing three-phase renovation

  • Published
  • By Chris Calkins
  • 45th SW Public Affairs
A three-phase renovation of the base's main runway began Nov. 7. It will continue for approximately the next five months, according to Lt. Col. Patrick Youngson, operations officer, 45th Operations Support Squadron.

"The Patrick Air Force Base runway construction project will remove and replace the top several inches of the asphalt as well as provide new painting and runway grooving in coordination with applicable Air Force guidance," said Colonel Youngson.

Currently, Phase I is scheduled to be completed Dec. 21, Phase II on March 7 and Phase III by April 20, said Colonel Youngson.

Even though both runways aren't being renovated at the present time, both will be impacted during this project, he said.

Colonel Youngson also said that flight operations into and out of Patrick Air Force Base will continue throughout the length of the project, but that some traffic will be limited or re-routed depending on what phase they are in during the runway construction.

"For example, during Phase I construction we will only be able to support aircraft that can make a safe landing using 5,500 feet (or less) of runway," he said.

Colonel Youngson also said Patrick's ability to support the wing's two downrange assets will not be affected.

He said the 45th Logistics Readiness Flight 45th Mission Support Group, worked with Air Transport International (ATI) to stage flights in and out of Melbourne International Airport.

"ATI flies into and out of Patrick Air Force Base twice a week supporting our two downrange assets - Antigua and Ascension Islands," he said. "They (45 LRF) provide supply, fuel, transportation and deployment support to the 45th Space Wing as well as tenant organizations for Patrick Air Force, Cape Canaveral Air Station and down range sites (Antigua and Ascension Island).

"The 45th Space Wing mission is to assure access to the high frontier and to support global operations. This runway is just one piece of that mission and allows us to provide combat capabilities by supporting launch, range and expeditionary operations. We all work as a team; having an improved runway will allow us to continue to do our mission and serve our nation for years to come," Colonel Youngson said.

The 45th Civil Engineer Squadron is working with the APAC Construction Company who is actually accomplishing this project.