USACE delivers new hangar, fueling system for C-17s at Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station

Published June 12, 2020

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District, in partnership with the Baltimore and Pittsburgh districts, has recently completed two world-class projects for Airmen at the Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station located at the Pittsburgh International Airport in Pennsylvania. 


Both projects—a two-bay hangar and a consolidated fuel hydrant system, apron, ramp, taxiway, and lighting project—were completed as part of the Pittsburgh Air Force Reserve C-17 Beddown Program, as the Air Force converts missions from an existing C-130 series aircraft mission to a C-17 series aircraft.


“It is an honor to be a part of this historic beddown mission conversion that is reshaping the future and legacy of the Airmen and civilian staff of the 911th Airlift Wing,” said Greg Ivey, Louisville District project manager. 


The $54 million two-bay corrosion/fuel hangar project was turned over to the user May 28 and the $53 million consolidated fuel hydrant system, apron, ramp, taxiway and lighting project was turned over to the user June 8. 


The approximate 116,000 square feet two-bay hangar facility includes a corrosion control bay; fuel cell maintenance bay; administrative support spaces; tool room; and equipment storage space to allow for maintenance of C-17 aircraft.


The consolidated fuel hydrant system, apron, ramp, taxiway and lighting facility includes a pressurized hydrant fuel system with hydrant outlets; two 2,500 barrel above ground bulk fuel tanks; a 5,000 barrel bulk fuel storage tank; an 1,800 gallons per minute pump house; hydrant hose truck checkout and product recovery system; a transfer pipeline; apron; ramp; taxiway; and high-mast lighting for parking, de-fueling and refueling of C-17 aircraft.


The Louisville District team, who has program and project management oversight, coordinated closely with the Baltimore District for contract administration and Pittsburgh District, which provided construction oversight of both projects.


“The successful milestone delivery of the new hangar and fuel hydrant/apron projects is a testimony to the partnering spirit, dedication and determination of the entire project delivery team that persevered from the day these projects were conceived to the day the first C-17 was defueled and towed through the hangar doors,” Ivey said.


Tim Greene, Air Force Reserve Command project manager, expressed his appreciation to the entire team for reaching these milestones. 


“This team has taken and built the largest beddown construction program that the Air Force Reserve has ever had, certainly the largest I've ever been involved in. Something in the neighborhood of $140 million in a bit over two years,” Greene said.