Runway construction paves safe path to blue skies

  • Published
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

Team MacDill began airfield construction, June 23, 2018, to repair pavement, lighting and more to ensure safety for the joint, total force missions that utilize the runway around the clock.

The scope and depth of these projects frequently shut down entire runways, forcing aircraft and crews to relocate. However, the 6th Civil Engineer Squadron, 6th Contracting Squadron and 6th Operations Support Squadron meticulously planned construction efforts to allow uninterrupted flight operations.

“Our base airfield infrastructure is valued at over $200 million,” said Michael Cooley, chief of plans and programs assigned to the 6th CES. “Pavement, lighting, paint and equipment must be regularly maintained and repaired to remain fully operational and support not only the wing flying mission, but the other essential AF and DoD missions that depend on MacDill.” 

The team’s construction plan lasts until summer of 2019 to keep aircraft flying. 

“We are working on one area at a time, which creates a displaced threshold,” explained Link Collier, 6th OSS airfield manager. “This allows aircraft operations and construction on the runway to occur simultaneously.”

The first project sharpened one of the runway’s most critical capabilities.

“Many fighter aircraft weigh over 50,000 pounds and have a landing speed near 200 miles per hour; our barrier arresting systems are critical for these aircraft in the case of an emergency,” stated Cooley.

Barrier arresting kits (BAK) act as brakes for fighter jets in the case of an emergency. The hook under the aircraft’s belly catches the BAK cable, bringing the jet to a halt.

Cooley explained the barrier arresting kit was the first repair project due to corrosion, degradation and the fact that MacDill is one of the few bases in central Florida equipped with the system—driving the need for a fast refurbish.

The remaining projects repair taxiways, repaint airfield markings and add electrical grounding points to protect aircraft from short circuits.

Cooley concluded by explaining the MacDill runway is much more than a landing pad for Air Force assets; it is a vital catalyst to global operations.

“We are not just configured to support our assigned aircraft,” Cooley explained. “Bombers, fighters and other specialized jets transit our base daily, and we must ensure safety for all so they can continue delivering air power all over the world.”