‘Priceless’ hangar door construction project positions Robins for future C-17 workloads Published Aug. 8, 2008 By Amanda Creel 78th ABW/PA Robins Air Force Base, GA -- When it comes to finding a way to ensure Warner Robins Air Logistics Center continues its commitment to warfighter support, members of Team Robins are always thinking outside of the box. One of the ways Robins continues to stay in an optimal position to support present and future Air Force missions is by modifying existing structures. One such project is now entering its final stage and will allow Robins to increase the capacity of the C-17 Globemaster III program, by adding 10 C-17 maintenance bays. "One cannot place a value on the project in reference to enhancing the C-17 workload here at Robins. I say this because we could not attract additional workloads without these improvements. In that context, it is priceless," said Donna Ethridge, C-17 deputy director. It all began when the C-141B Starlifter workload started transitioning out as the Air Force prepared for its retirement leaving, Robins in search of other workloads. Though the C-17 was larger than the C-141, it replaced the C-141. This left a problem for the depot because the hangars were not built to support the 55-foot tail of the C-17. "We started asking ourselves 'do we have the facilities on base that we can take and convert for the workload?' We did a survey of all hangars on base and these three were the ones we could do the best," said Bill Deaver, engineer design and construction flight chief with the 778th Civil Engineer Squadron. The project, which has been done in three phases, involved Bldgs. 81, 82 and 83. The project includes replacing the doors and floors of each hangar to allow the larger C-17 to occupy them. The hangar doors were only 46 feet high originally, so members of Team Robins 78th Civil Engineer Group and the 402nd Maintenance Wing put their heads together to see what could be done to help maximize the space in the hangars. "What we did is we looked inside the structure and discerned we could go 58 feet," Mr. Deaver said. The first hangar to undergo the transformation was Bldg. 81 in 2004. Once the doors were converted from 46 to 58 feet high and the floors were redone, the hangar was equipped with four C-17 bays. "Had the alterations not been made, we would have been severely limited in attracting new workload. The C-17 workload is the future of Robins Air Force Base. We are thankful that there was a commitment by the wing, WR-ALC and AFMC (Air Force Materiel Command) to make these improvements. Had this not been accomplished, we would not be writing this story today about the impact, not only to Robins but to Middle Georgia. These facility improvements and those that will follow will ensure our ability to be competitive in our ever changing business world," Ms. Ethridge said. The last hangar presently undergoing construction, Bldg. 83, will also be equipped with four bays, while Bldg. 82, a smaller hangar, was equipped with two bays in 2006. "The renovations of Bldgs. 81, 82 and 83 were the cornerstone for Robins securing the workload as a subcontractor, to Boeing, for the C-17 aircraft. Once the renovations are completed in Bldg. 83 it will increase our capacity by 40 percent," Ms. Ethridge said. Some of the other improvements the project includes are three weight and balance pads for the nose and landing gear in each bay and a 12-inch thick concrete floor slab replacing the existing hangar floor. Ms. Ethridge added another advantage to the project is not only does it morph existing hangars to the desired specifications; it also locates the hangars together. "The co-location of the three buildings is crucial to the work flow. The modifications to Bldg. 83 are essential in attracting the additional workloads for Robins Air Force Base. Our mission here at Robins is to provide a quality product, on time, at cost, to support the warfighters. These hangers allow for us to accomplish that mission," Ms. Ethridge said. Dolat Mehta, the project manager, said the project represents a great amount of savings in time and money because constructing a new hangar would have been much costlier and would have required a much longer construction period. "Facilities is what wins workloads. Now we can bid on any workload out there," Steve Smith, chief of facility engineering group with the 402nd Aircraft Maintenance Group. The C-17 workload is expected to increase here at the Center over the next two years, said Ms Ethridge. Building 83 is expected to be completed in November. "The simple fact that we will be able to work 10 C-17s simultaneously in a hangar, as well as additional speed line aircraft on the flightline, will make us the location of choice for the United States Air Force," Ms. Ethridge said.