Munitions bunkers become rubble, save AF $3.5 million

by Airman 1st Class Mackenzie Richardson
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

9/2/2015 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Members of the 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron and the 92nd Contracting Squadron are working toward an Air Force goal of reducing our building footprint by demolishing 1950s-era munitions bunkers here and saving the Air Force approximately $3.5 million in the process.

The project, originally a group of five separate projects estimated at a cost of $6.5 million, was consolidated into one demolition project saving the United States government approximately $3.5 million, also supporting the Air Force's "Make Every Dollar Count" campaign.

"One of the reasons for this project is to help meet the Air Force's goal of removing 20 percent of our building footprint by the year 2020," said Jay Logan, 92nd CES project manager.

The project is scheduled to take a year to complete, and is currently in phase two, or the physical demolition. Phase three, which includes closing out the contract and final submittals, is scheduled to begin in December and be completed in April 2016. Phase one began in the summer of 2014.

"At first we thought it would be quite expensive on a square-foot basis to remove these reinforced concrete structures," Logan said. "Fortunately with some help from the contracting office packaging this project, we were able to get a great bid from a contractor well experienced in this type of demolition."

Fairchild Air Force Base was previously part of Strategic Air Command and utilized these bunkers in storing munitions as part of the mission. More than 60 years later, the majority of the original buildings are being demolished, recycled or reused. The project will demolish 33 munitions storage bunkers and portions of four different roads throughout the grounds.

The 92nd CES and CONS are working closely with the contractor to remove these 1950s munitions bunkers that are no longer needed. Approximately 15 to 20 people are working on the site daily, moving soil, recycling rebar and removing potentially dangerous materials.

"Contractors are an extremely important asset to Fairchild," said Staff Sgt. Justin Hayes, 92nd CONS contracting officer. "Not only does contracting for these efforts allow us to seek this outside expertise and free up man-hours, but it also allows us the opportunity to support small businesses with these contracts.  Ultimately this helps to improve the local economy and creates strong relationships between the Air Force and our community."

Once the land has been cleared and the extra soil removed, the area will be shrunken down. Discussion on the use of the land after the project is complete is still in the beginning stages.