ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. –
The Andrews flight line has been undergoing some much needed maintenance including pavement repairs as well as an annual rubber removal and painting project.
"The pavements here at Andrews are approximately 50 years old," said Tracy A. Morgan, 316th Operations Support Squadron airfield manager. "Construction is greatly needed to ensure upkeep of these pavements. Without it, eventually pavements would begin to fail and their use would not be possible."
Spall repairs, or repairs of shallow breaks on the concrete, were recently completed on the west runway as well as repairs in and around the 113th Wing ramp. Currently repairs are being made on the west ramp. Construction started on the intersection of taxiways recently. Further, airfield painting is also taking place on the entire field.
Given the number of flight operations in and out of Andrews on a daily basis, communication among those affected by the construction is crucial. "Flight operations have to be carefully coordinated between Airfield Management, 316th CES, the contractors, air traffic Control and the flying units to ensure safety of both the contractors and the aircrews and the aircraft," said Ms. Morgan. "In some situations alternate taxi routes have to be established to taxi aircraft around construction areas."
Beginning Monday and lasting through Oct. 12, construction work will include spall repairs on the west ramp, slab replacement and spall repair at the intersection of taxiways. Further, asphalt shoulders will be milled, patched or overlaid from the north end of the west ramp starting at the 1st Helicopter Squadron ramp south toward the base of the control tower. Work will begin on joint sealant removal and replacement on the west ramp, depending on the weather, Nov. 22 through spring 2008.
The Air Traffic Systems Evaluation Program inspection team visited Andrews recently. "The inspection team inspected the quality, adequacy and safety of the air traffic system supporting flying operations here at Andrews," said Ms. Morgan. "The team also evaluated air traffic control, airfield management, terminal instrument procedures, airspace, air traffic control and landing systems support and civil engineering support."
For more information regarding flight line repairs, contact Ms. Tracy Morgan at 301-981-3416 or e-mail tracy.morgan-02@andrews.af.mil. Or contact, Tech. Sgt. Jason Kretschmer, deputy airfield manager, at 301-981-9144 or e-mail Jason.kretschmer@andrews.af.mil.