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***image1***Ramstein’s new $52 million Air Freight Terminal opened its doors Oct. 12 making it easier for the Air Mobility Command to support the U.S. efforts around the world.
The new freight terminal is one of the Rhein-Main Air Base transition construction projects, enhancing air freight operations and doubling current freight terminal capability.
The 212,630 square foot building provides receiving, sorting, freight processing, freight preparation and packaging, freight storage including hazardous materials, weapons, classified, pallet build pits, and storage and loading docks.
“This is an advanced facility that will do a world of good,” said Col. A. Ray Myers, 723rd Air Mobility Squadron commander. “It will not only help provide world class support to the war fighter each and every day, this facility will also stand ready to support humanitarian and relief operations in this hemisphere. It represents a quantum leap in capability to process cargo.”
Colonel Myers said a prominent feature of the terminal includes the Mechanized Material Handling System attached to the warehouse with an automated robotic stacking and storage system of aircraft pallets. He said it can store 534 air pallets, equivalent to 15 C-5 aircraft loads, and organize them onto 26 highline docks for movement out to aircraft.
To further illustrate its capability, the MMHS resources reduced the four-hour process of planning, pulling and sequencing a load for a C-5 aircraft to only one hour, said Colonel Myers.
Other features include the special handling section, which is equipped with an automated hazard detection and disposal system, and a truck dock section that has an automated truck loading system and 19 inbound truck bays.
The project also includes a Hazardous Material storage facility with spill prevention, fire detection and suppression that keeps hazardous materials separated and monitored.
“As with most facilities, this one is also made of concrete, steel, and glass. In and of itself it is impressive in its own right— the WOW factor is huge,” said Colonel Myers. “The world’s best Airmen and civilians are embracing this facility, operating it with skill and precision, and continuing to make the magic happen.”
The project was financed with Rhein-Main Transition Program agreement funds and U.S. Military Construction funds.
“It was a cross-functional, cross-command and cross-national project,” said Capt. Kieran Keelty, 723rd AMS aerial port operations officer. “It was a major milestone for moving a significant part of the Rhein-Main Air Mobility Command mission to Ramstein in preparation for the Rhein-Main closure in 2005.”
(Courtesy 723rd Air Mobility and 435th Civil Engineer Squadrons)
