Flightline construction resumes

The 86th Civil Engineer Squadron, 86th Operations Support Squadron Airfield Management flight and German contractors are scheduled to begin several airfield construction projects April 3 on Ramstein Air Base.

The units and contractors will work together to replace the cabling for the taxiway centerline lights, pave the overrun access roads with asphalt and resume the infield drainage project that started in September.

“The taxiway centerline lights are used for low-visibility operations,” said Master Sgt. Richard Berry, 86th OSS Operational Support Airlift Agency airfield manager. “They are installed on the center of the taxiways and lead aircraft to their parking locations. This system is vital during the fall and spring seasons when the fog rolls in.”

The estimated time of completion on the taxiway centerline lights is later in the month.

The overrun access roads are primarily installed to provide access to the runways and navigational aids for airfield maintenance and emergency first responders.

“The gravel roads that lead to the runway overruns are being paved with asphalt,” Berry said. “Paving these roads will decrease the amount of foreign objects that are brought onto the runway via vehicle tires and lower the instances of vehicles becoming stuck during wet seasons.”

The estimated time of completion on the overrun access roads is June.

“The purpose of the infield drainage project is to relieve water collection on the infield between the two runways,” Berry said.

The infield drainage project is entering phase four of five and is expected to be complete late June.

The 86th CES Contracting Office is the primary originator of the airfield construction projects; however, the project execution relies on communication between airfield management and the 86th CES to ensure all users of the airfield are notified.

“Airfield management plays a key role in the daily operation of Ramstein. It’s the core and center of gravity of airfield operations,” said Tech. Sgt. Willie Robertson, 86th OSS airfield management operations non-commissioned officer in charge.

The projected cost of these construction projects is 2.2 million dollars.