Extreme makeover: runway edition

Published Aug. 6, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Lauren Pitts
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Originally constructed in 1957, the Minot Air Force Base flightline is truly a testament to Air Force engineering and endurance. However, after serving the base for almost 60 years, the flightline was in desperate need of a makeover.

After an airstrip evaluation, it became clear that Minot's runway was overdue for repair. Once construction was complete on the east and west ends of the airstrip, construction on the center began in April of last year and is slated for completion in October of 2014.

Jennifer Aldrich, a project engineer with the Omaha district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Minot's quality assurance manager, explained how the repairs began at the far ends of the strip.

"Three years ago we began work on the west end of the strip, and last year we worked on the east end, which are now totally done," said "Now we've completely shut down the runway and are making progress on the center portion."

Using the railways to import materials from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the contractors have their materials on site to reduce traffic in the community and make transportation to the runway almost immediate. To save more time and resources, the teams are using a European paving machine, never used before in this part of the United States.

"This European paver, new to this area, compacts and elevates the materials at the same time," Aldrich said. "It would normally be a multi-step process without this machine."

Rebuilding since April, the construction teams are set to be completely finished by early October, including grooving, grinding, stripping the runway and converting the emergency runway back to its original role as a taxi-way.

Though the engineers are right on schedule and eager to finish the project, quality is a top priority. Laying down approximately 2,000 cubic-yards of concrete per day, the engineers are constantly checking and rechecking the quality of the pavement, looking for any discrepancies in the materials.

"We're very focused when it comes to quality," Aldrich explained. "With the concrete, we're making sure the slabs are straight edge with no bumps, and the asphalt is compact with no cracks."

With such a crucial mission, the top notch Airmen and equipment from Minot AFB need a flight line that can handle the fast pace, explained 1st Lt. Jason Hernandez, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron project execution officer in charge.

"The Minot runway project will help ensure the B-52's mission remains uninterrupted for years to come," Hernandez said.