HAWAII ARMY NATIONAL GUARD HOLDS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR NEW AVIATION FACILITY
Posted on Feb 20, 2015 in FY2015, In The News, News Release, VideoMEDIA RELEASE
#2015-005 Feb. 19, 2015
For Immediate Release
HAWAII ARMY NATIONAL GUARD HOLDS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR NEW AVIATION FACILITY
Kalaeloa, Hawaii -The Hawaii Army National Guard (HIARNG) held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) this morning, February 19, 2015 in Kalaeloa. The AASF’s mission is to provide fully mission capable aircraft and ready aircrews to aviation units assigned to the HIARNG.
This new AASF will be the third in Hawaii and the second on Oahu. The current facility on Oahu, located at Wheeler Army Airfield, does not provide all of the required space needed since the elements of three HIARNG units were reorganized and modernized in 1995. Two types of helicopters will be using the hangar area, the CH-47 Chinook and the UH-60 Blackhawk. The facility will house three MEDEVAC Blackhawks, when that mission is stood up in 2016.
“The new Kalaeloa AASF facility will provide us with increased capability and flexibility to train and to respond for domestic operations. Our soldiers will be able to spend less time traveling by ground vehicles to Wheeler in order to receive their training for operational contingencies or war. Should the state need the services of our helicopters for domestic operations, our soldiers will literally be within walking distance of their airlift. That’s improved efficiency and flexibility”, said Brig. Gen. Joe Logan, state adjutant general.
The Kalaeloa AASF will cost $32.6 million and will be built by Watts Constructors, LLC. The estimated completion date is November 2016. The Kalaeloa AASF will encompass almost 67,000 square feet and will have a large hangar to support aircraft as well as an administrative area for classrooms, restrooms, conference rooms and offices.
For more information, please contact Lt. Col. Charles Anthony, Director of Public Affairs at the number below.
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Media Contact:
Lt. Col. Charles Anthony
Public Affairs Officer
808-733-4258
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