16 Fluor Corporation PROFILE Client: Department of the Air Force Location: Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Type of Project: Complete rebuild of the Ascension Island Airfield runway Duration: Began in 2020 with completion in 2023 Scope of Work: Runway replacement and widening; replacement of the approach lighting system Supporting the United States Department of the Air Force and the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force, Fluor completed an airfield rebuild at Ascension Island. Executing this project safely and efficiently required incredibly complicated logistics. Not only did the Fluor team execute this project during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the island is also located in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean: 1,000 miles off the coast of Africa and 1,400 miles from South America. Every piece of equipment and all materials had to be sourced off the island and transported thousands of miles. With only a small port facility on the island and no viable pier for docking modern ocean shipping, the Fluor team offloaded materials and equipment onto barges that docked at the existing pier. From there, the barge loads were moved inland to the laydown yard via truckloads. Ascension Island’s marine protected area is home to endangered plants and animals, and the Fluor team ensured the safety of these species. For example, the team erected a diversionary fence around the port and fenced-off beaches to monitor sea turtle activities. Barge landings were timed for mid-August through mid-December to avoid peak turtle nesting season. Turtle fencing inspections, biosecurity traps and specimen collecting were organized with the island’s conservation center. The 10,000-foot airfield plays a significant role in supporting the United States Space Force and Air Force, the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force and several other military mission requirements, as well as governmental agencies located on the Britishowned island. It is also the most complex project executed by the Air Force in years. ASCENSION ISLAND AIRFIELD REBUILD Runway inspection work performed // Ascension Island “With this project’s completion, the airfield has returned to full operational readiness, providing the infrastructure needed to maintain Air and Space Force capabilities in the South Atlantic.” TOM D’AGOSTINO Group President, Mission Solutions MISSION SOLUTIONS PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
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