US Army Corps of Engineers® E ngineering Europe District in Europe

Vol. 4 No. 2 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District Summer 2002

InsideInside Ankara Project Office Booms Contract Floodgates Open Page 6

$50-Million AFRC Resort Under Way in Page 8

Israel - Bases for Peace, Basis for Progress Page 12 EB-E Summary Earns Top Design Award By Brian H. Temple then finally – boom, boom, boom – we got the final The planning process was lengthy, tedious, and option.’” originally conducted behind closed doors but it That “final option” went through a design process eventually crystallized into a 28-page executive summary and ended up being the award- that earned a first-place award by the winning product. American Planning Association. According to LeFevre, Judges from the association, Shereck completed the executive and the University of Chicago, summary in about three months. scrutinized the collection of Shereck and his team came to drawings, photos and artists’ Grafenwöhr, scoped out the site, renderings of Grafenwöhr’s billion- designed first-rate graphics, and dollar Efficient Basing-East project in April. The submitted the preliminary booklet booklet, titled “Executive Summary, Efficient Basing at the conclusion of the three-week data collection East, East Camp Grafenwöhr, Germany” took top period LeFevre said. honors in this year’s Federal Planning Division Area This is United States Army Europe’s (USAREUR) Development Plan category. single largest project topping off at just over one billion “Overall the faculty was impressed with the high dollars, LeFevre said. He takes pride in the magnitude quality of most submittals. The scores were high and of the project and the executive summary representing competition keen,” said Charles Hoch, director, Urban it. Planning and Policy Program, College of Urban Planning “It all started with one of these $200,000 stationing and Public Affairs, University of Illinois at Chicago. plans,” LeFevre said. “It was exciting to see our most Europe District employees joined Marc Shereck, an important projects matched with one of their most urban designer with Nakata Planning Group, as well as talented guys. Marc has something special and had a other team members, and produced the executive way of making it all come together.” summary. The product was intended to bring the project LeFevre said Shereck’s talents were key in this to life for Congress and Army leadership, said Dan process, and he would enjoy working with him again. LeFevre, project manager with the Corps. Shereck said he is honored by the recognition, and In its original stages the proposal was a monstrous that he has enjoyed his work with Corps team. book, but had to be eventually whittled down to “It is recognition from my peers … for work I have something reasonable he said. a great deal of passion for. I’ve been lucky in that “It was a big, giant stationing plan, four inches thick most of my associations with the Corps of Engineers that detailed nine options of where units would go,” he have been working partnerships on interesting projects said. “We tackled three options at a time. ‘Well, we that have established planning precedent,” Shereck don’t like these two, can we expand on this one, and said. Engineering in Europe Engineering in Europe is an unofficial publication of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District, authorized under the provisions of AR360-1. The editorial views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or the Department of the Army. Engineering in Europe is a command information publication of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District. Circulation is 650. Articles, photographs, and other contributions are welcome and encouraged. The editor reserves the right to make editorial changes to all material submitted for publication. Letters to the editor are also encouraged. The deadline for submissions is the 1st of the month preceding publication. Send submissions to: Editor, Engineering in Europe, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District, CMR 410, Box 1, APO AE 09096. Details may be obtained from the PAO at (011) 49-611-816-2720 or DSN 336- 2720. Written material may be electronically sent to the following e-mail address: [email protected]. An electronic version of Engineering in Europe may be viewed on the Europe District Internet homepage at: http://www.nau.usace.army.mil

Commander: Col. Michael R. Pelkey On the Cover ... Deputy Commander: Lt. Col. Stephen Tennant Tim Anderson (left), construction representative for Europe Deputy District Engineer: Lloyd Caldwell District, talks to Heinrich Wild, Staatsbauamt Fulda, about Public Affairs Chief: Grant Sattler an inspection of this $2.75 million hangar in Hanau, Editor/Layout: Brian H. Temple Germany. See story on Page 3. Intern: Byron S. Kimbrough

Engineering in Europe 2 Summer 2002 For A Job Well Done

Khalil Karimi, Wiesbaden Project Officer (left), receives a commander’s coin from Lt. Gen. Robert Flowers, Commanding General of USACE (right) while Al Hasty, Project Office Engineer with the Wiesbaden Project Office looks on. Karimi showed Flowers the ongoing bathroom and laundry renovations taking place in Wiesbaden’s Crestview Village during Flower’s visit to Europe District in April.

Photo by Brian H. Temple Blackhawks to Move Into New Hangar By Brian H. Temple “During a site visit the In a joint venture, the Just the diagram of the steel- participants heard loud popping and Staatsbauamt Fulda and Arge beamed structure is impressive cracking coming from the 60 plus- Ulrich-Elo Fertigbau (J.V.), Fulda, enough to make a kid with an year-old wood structure every time began to build the steel-trussed Erector Set ™ jealous. Add frame in August of 2000. new electrical systems, an Switching from a minor overhead hoist, and a fire “What could have easily renovation to a complete suppression system to top it been a disastrous rebuild, however, required off, and you’ll have planners make significant Fliegerhorst Kaserne’s most situation … has turned changes, obtain additional modern addition – the new funding and add one more home for the 1st Infantry out to be an exemplary contractor. H. Kammerdiener Division’s, D. Company, 2-501st Aviation Battalion’s facility that will be usable of Gersfeld paired up with Blackhawk helicopters. for the next 60 plus Staatsbauamt Fulda to tackle The U.S. Army Corps of the interior work, which Engineers Europe District is years.” included new electrical and scheduled to slide open the Michael Henry heater systems, redoing floors, doors to the $2.75 million Project Engineer painting walls, replacing tiles, hangar project in Hanau, etc. Germany in July. “With an aged facility such as The former hangar, a World- the wind blew,” said Michael this, with so many users since the War-II-era structure, was originally Henry, a Project Engineer in the late 1930’s, it was difficult to be going to undergo renovations, but Hanau Resident Office. certain what kind of work was done one site visit in May of 2000 Priorities drastically changed when, and why,” Henry said. encouraged decision makers to Henry said, and plans for a new choose a completely new structure. hangar went into production. See “Hangar” on Page 4 Engineering in Europe Summer 2002 3 Hangar: Safety features and state of art equipment installed continued from page 3 The building concealed many renovation challenges, Henry said, and the floor and the electrical system were especially “dilapidated.” This was no surprise to Delta Company. In the former hangar, they plugged a cart- mounted power distribution box into a wall socket and then drew power from the box. The box would convert the German voltage into power that they could use for the aircraft, but the power was unreliable. “Some days we would plug in and it would stop working. We would have to move the aircraft to the hangar next door to get power,” Photo by Brian H. Temple said Warrant Officer Daniel Loomis, Production Tim Anderson, construction representative for Europe District’s Control Officer, Delta Company. Hanau office points out the magnitude of the steel support frame You don’t have to talk to Loomis for long to used in this $2.75-million hangar in Hanau, Germany. know that he is ready for the battalion’s new home. was there along during the process to help with its The days of electrical blowouts are soon over. The new construction thanks to the project team concept. hangar has a built in power supply that converts the Henry said the key to working through the design, electricity and can directly power the aircraft. as well as the construction, was bringing all the parties A new overhead hoist that travels the length of the on board. hangar will also save them some muscle aches. The “What could have easily been a disastrous situation hydraulic system can be used with a push of a few … has turned out to be an exemplary facility that will buttons. be usable for the next 60 plus years; especially with all Loomis said, “It is very convenient for the that steel!” Henry said. helicopter maintainers. They don’t have to move heavy “Since the process … included a representative of objects around the hangar, or leave a lot of extra cords the end-user, the actual helicopter mechanics, their laying around. The new system is very simple and it’s point-of-view was directly conveyed and represented in very safe with how they developed the power box.” the resulting facility. It pays to be inclusive of the real When the doors are opened, the facility should stakeholders. That’s the whole point of successful unquestionably meet the needs of Loomis and crew. He teamwork.” USACE Leadership - Gettin’ Out, Shaking Hands

(Left) Maj. Gen. Hans VanWinkle, Deputy Commanding General, USACE, meets Gregg Takamura, Chief of Construction, as well as Photos by Grant Sattler other Europe District (Above) Brig. Gen. Carl Strock, Director of employees during his Military Programs for USACE (left), visits May visit to Wiesbaden. Simon Rosa, chief of Plans, Security and Operations Division (middle), and Lt. Col. Stephen Tennant, Deputy Commander, Europe District, during a March visit in Wiesbaden.

Engineering in Europe 4 Summer 2002 Renovation Preserves Historical Building for Accountant Headquarters By Grant Sattler historical office and the Gutting and rebuilding a century- lthough renovation is just 20 Staatsbauamt. old, three story, 122,000 square foot percent into the “pardon our DFAS is consolidating its historical building could be a A dust” phase, Defense Europe-based offices to place nightmare, as extensive renovations Finance Accounting Service operations under one roof and to are often fraught with hidden employees throughout Europe can realize cost savings from the problems, escalating costs and bank on their new consolidated reduction in the number of facilities. slipping timelines. But careful headquarters being fit for a kaiser. “We’re establishing our advanced structural analysis and The three story Building 3200 on consolidation date based on the detailed preparation for work on the Kaiserslautern’s Kleber Kaserne, availability of the new facility,” said building is keeping the project within with its historic Jugendstil façade, Jan Nordsiek, the project manager budget. sunny courtyards and clock tower, for DFAS. “We did a thorough investigation will be ready to take on new life as The $7.7 million project is the of the building beforehand, including an administrative center for largest Europe District has environmental issues and asbestos approximately 270 workers by undertaken in recent years in abatement,” Wadhwa said. “We August 2003. Germany outside the indirect also hired an architecture and That is thanks to a time line process stipulated by the engineering firm to do structural shortened by almost two years international agreement known as design to supplement our in-house because of authorization from the ABG75. design.” See “DFAS” on Page 14 German Ministry of Defense for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District to manage the project directly with the contractor, Contract workers without going through the for SKE GmbH gut Staatsbauamt Kaiserslautern the interior and LBB. rebuild the roof of “We were approached by Building 3200 on Kaiserslautern’s [DFAS] a couple of years ago with Kleber Kaserne. a study on the project,” said Lalit This century-old, Wadhwa, Europe District’s chief, three story, project design section, Installation 122,000 square foot historical Support. When DFAS planners building will be the learned that LBB did not project European completion of the project until 2005, headquarters for they requested Europe District ask the Defense for permission to manage the Finance Accounting Service. The construction. building is “We said ‘OK, we’ll assist expected to be where we can … that’s a very ready by August unusual process, but we’ll see,’” 2003. Wadhwa said. Europe District presented justification based on communications installations for the DFAS financial network and received permission from Bonn, with provision that designs be

coordinated with the local German Temple Photo by Brian H.

Engineering in Europe Summer 2002 5 Contract Floodgates Open in Ankara By Brian H. Temple remote site amid sheep, cattle and their herders, is one in a The U.S. Engineering Group’s (TUSEG) recently network measuring earth-shifting activity throughout . resurrected Ankara office in the Republic of Turkey is doing Local power is unreliable and is cut off during the winter just about everything under the sun - from new roofs and months said John Rogers, chief of the Ankara Project Office. seismic work to guard posts and installing solar panels. A The Corps was hired to ensure the tower remains active - recent revival of construction in Turkey’s capitol is keeping solar power was the answer. TUSEG staff busy with a diverse workload. The $206,000 project, completed in June, is the largest solar project of this type in Turkey. The continued power Shake, Rattle, and Roll source will enable staff at the Kandili Observatory and Atop a 3,000-foot mountain south of Ankara, the U.S. Earthquake Research Institute at Bogazici University to use Army Corps of Engineers, EMTA Construction Co., Inc., and the structure with its 300-foot cable descending below the Sun Power are installing 212 solar panels to keep a seismic earth’s surface to gather data on earthquake activity. The tower active year round. The tower, located at Elmadag, a Elmadag tower sits on a relatively stable plateau, and this makes it one of the more reliable towers for the university, Rogers said. Formerly, the U.S. Air Force Technical Applications Center, under the guidelines of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty, operated the tower to measure underground nuclear detonations but turned it over to the Turkish government about a year and a half ago. Under the transfer agreement, the U.S. military was obliged to assist in the operations of the station, said Air Force Maj. Jeffrey Rumrill, Chief Installations and Activities for the Office of Defense Cooperation, Turkey. Subsequently, the Turkish military gave the tower to the Kandili Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute at Bogazici University, but the U.S. still helps with its upkeep, Rumrill said. The university did not have the technical capability on hand to maintain the site, but with a permanent solar-power system the university can get a broader and more consistent range of data, he said. I Get By With a Little Help … Most of the Ankara Project Office’s work is in the metropolis of just over 3.5 million people, and the doors to the Ankara project office opened full time with Roger’s arrival in early May. With April’s end to an approximate five-year delay on military construction at the Office of Defense Cooperation, projects for the office are quickly gaining momentum. With the arrival of the updated “2002 Construction Circular,” the international agreement between the United States and the Republic of Turkey dictating construction practices, the floodgates on a back log of projects are about to burst open. The former construction circular, which was implemented from 1997 through early 2002, bureaucratically suffocated the John Rogers, chief of Ankara Project Office (left), updates Maj. direct contratincg process. Because of the lack of flexibility Joe Gandara, area engineer for the TUSEG office, on the status of during that timeframe, much military construction was put on the Elmadag tower solar project in May. hold. Engineering in Europe 6 Summer 2002 Renovations to the ODC headquarters were among the projects that were in limbo. Between now and November of this year, $1.4 million is budgeted for ODC renovations alone Rumrill said. The building’s roof is already under way and once the exterior work is completed interior renovations will begin. Rogers said he was heading to work in the Republic of Georgia, but was asked if he would take an assignment in Ankara to develop relationships with U.S. agencies, including staff at the ODC. He was happy to oblige. “My vision for the Corps here is to be the construction manager of choice,” Rogers said. “I’m the Corps salesman, the Corps inspector, the Corps estimator, the Corps statement of work author … I’m the Corps in a nutshell in Photos by Brian H. Temple Ankara.” Maj. Joe Gandara, area engineer for the TUSEG office (left) gets an update on the Office Rumrill, the staff engineer for the of Defense Cooperation roof construction from Orkun Dincer, EMTA Consruction Co., Inc., Project Manager. Europe District and EMTA Construction are working together on ODC, and the single point of contact several renovation projects at the Office of Defense Cooperation in Ankara. between the Turkish and U.S. militaries for just about anything related to building, intends to tap into that shell and use Roger’s talents. With the U.S. government back on track with major construction projects, other locations throughout Turkey - Incirlik Air Base, Izmir, and Eskisehir - should see renovations, new construction, and possible expansions as well, he said. Rumrill said he plans to use the Corps’ talents wherever he can and wherever else construction may occur. “I think the Corps of Engineers is going to see a tremendous increase in work over the next five to 10 years,” he said. Nickel and Dime Jobs Add Up Ankara’s projects over the past have not had multi-million dollar price tags attached, but even with the “nickel and dime” nature of their work the Corps has overseen approximately The entrance of the Office of Defense Cooperation once had $256,000 in renovations and construction at the ODC, said uneven, stone steps. Visitors now enter via smooth concrete Rogers. steps. The 72-year-old building’s $25,000 facelift is one of several upgrades completed to the ODC by Europe District. “Our projects in Ankara are much more diverse than what you may see in Germany. Not only are we doing standard External renovations to the ODC headquarters and grounds construction projects such as roofing or building a playground are examples of how the projects add up. at the DoDDS (Department of Defense Dependants Schools) The entrance of the headquarters building once had school, but we’re also doing communications and solar work,” uneven, stone steps like set of crooked teeth that were a he said. hazard to walk on, Rumrill said. See “ODC” on Page 10 Engineering in Europe Summer 2002 7 $50 Million AFRC Resort Under Way By Brian H. Temple The 330-room facility is pretty much an artist’s rendering and a concrete foundation at this point, but come fall 2004 it will be a $50 million resort hotel at the base of Germany’s Bavarian Alps. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s Europe District has embarked on a two-year project to build a premiere resort for the Armed Forces Recreation Center Europe in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Peter Isaacs, chief operating officer for the Community and Family Support Center in

Alexandria, Va., said the new hotel Photos by Brian H. Temple will replace the antiquated, small (Above) Workers with Porr AG of and operationally inefficient existing Murnau, Germany, work on the hotels with a modern structure. foundation to the Armed Forces Recreation Center Europe’s latest With larger rooms, a fitness addition - a $50 million, 330-room center, spa and wellness center, resort hotel in Garmisch- swimming pool, two restaurants Partenkirchen. Europe District and a lounge, service members and embarked on the two-year project this Spring and is scheuled to be their families will reap the benefits, completed in April 2004. he said. “The Corps has been involved (Left) Brig. Gen. Antonio Taguba, Commanding General CFSC (left) to some degree with AFRC and Richard LeBrun, General projects in Europe, the Hale Koa Manager AFRC-Europe (right) Hotel in Hawaii, Shades of Green receive hard hats and ceremonial acquisition at Walt Disney World, shovels from Lt. Col. Stephen and the Dragon Hill Lodge in Tennant, Deputy Commander, Europe District at the May 7 Yongsan, Korea,” Isaacs said. “We groundbreaking. have a long history of successful partnership with the Corps of common German practice, The existing hotels, two in Engineers.” Meissner explained, and is similar Cheimsee and two in Garmisch, Partnering with AFRC to American Design-Build. It have been a part of southern engineers and leadership, the speeds up the start of construction Bavaria’s post war history, but in Corps is building the hotel through concurrent with detailed final order to bring the facilities up to construction phases. Phase one, design planning. AFRC’s current standards the completed before May’s “By completing the major Corps is building the new facility. groundbreaking, was for a $246,000 structure and getting the roof on “We are extremely excited berm and perimeter fence. over the summer, workers will be about giving guests so many “Phasing the work allowed us able to continue construction options for relaxation and to do excavation and start through the winter months inside,” recreation in one facility,” said construction in the spring in order Meissner said. Richard LeBrun, general manager to make our completion date of With an April ’04 completion of AFRC Europe. April 2004,” said Europe District this will give AFRC staff about six For information on AFRC Project Manager Heidi Meissner. months to equip and prepare the hotels: www.armymwr.com/portal/ Phasing work is a fairly hotel for its fall opening. travel/recreationcenters. Engineering in Europe 8 Summer 2002 Regional Management Board Talks Better Business

By Grant Sattler convenes as the group members know each other well. Seventeen members of North Atlantic Division’s While each individual represents his or her own Regional Management Board met May 14-16 in Trier, organization, together they are in fact as well as in Germany, for an off-site conference. name a group serving the region. Europe District hosted the bi-monthly meeting in the “Forever in the Corps we’ve functioned as oldest of Germany’s cities, founded in 16 B.C. by the individual districts. The current business environment Romans under Emperor Augustus as a trade center on we’re in requires that we not only operate well as the Mosel river. Amid enduring landmarks of districts, but that we also operate as a region,” RMB engineering, it proved an appropriate place for Co-chair Waters said. “The benefit we get is that we representatives of the North Atlantic Division and its take the good things that are happening in all six of our six districts to map progress in the development of the districts and share it and get the compounded success Regional Business Center and to benefit from a and synergy.” professional development tour. Becoming a catalyst for change has been a growth “This has been one of our most successful process for the RMB. “We met more frequently early meetings, both in terms of process and in product,” said on and then started by recommending the structure [for James Thomasson, Norfolk District’s chief of PPMD. the RMB] based on what we needed to accomplish,” The working group — composed of representatives Thomasson said. from the division headquarters and its districts — is “Most of our meetings were spent taking a look at charged with making recommendations to North certain issues, execution of the program, resolving Atlantic Division’s senior leadership and district obstacles to executing the program. Then we really engineers who gather several times annually as the focused on business monitoring rather than business Regional Business Center’s Board of Trustees. improvement. Now we are looking at how we improve it.” “The RMB’s initial structure was dictated by Waters explained, “Priorities and agendas are headquarters as driven by the directorate and commanders — who program managers comprise the board of and the resource trustees — and managers of each they’ve given us four district, plus the two broad areas to work SESs,” said Tom in.” Agenda items are Waters, NAD developed and Director of Civil regionalization issues Works and Business assigned for study Management under the four topical Directorate. “We’ve areas defined as added three functional capable workforce, chiefs, two chiefs of regional workload Photo by Grant Sattler engineering and one Staff ride attendees visit Clervaux, , where the 110th management, sharing chief of contracting.” Infantry Regimental Headquarters held off Wehrmacht forces good ideas, and The RMB’s typical from a medieval fortress. contingency two-day meetings operations. involve conceptualizing ways to better operate as a RMB Co-Chair Susan Turek, NAD’s Director of region. Regional workload and resource management Resource Management, said that the Board of Trustees initiative topics for the Trier meeting included a long has taken an active role in the Regional Business term look at shore protection programs in the U.S. and Center concept. “That is part of the success … why the MILCON program in Europe. Their intent is to we’ve been able to move out,” bringing about good ensure NAD has the technical knowledge and capacity results she said, indicating there is some variance to meet future engineering mission needs. across the Corps in implementation of the Regional It’s “get down to business” as soon as the RMB Business Center concept. See “RMB” on Page 17 Engineering in Europe Summer 2002 9 Field Force Engineering Makes Difference During Warfighter By Brian H. Temple Col. Todd Semonite, V Corps data to ERDC for analysis. The hen today’s combat engineer and commander of the ERDC team receives the engineer deploys he can 130th Engineer Brigade from information via the secure system, Wbring thousands of civilian Hanau, Germany, said the union of makes the analysis, and shoots it and military advisors with him in a technology and USACE talents back to the command. suitcase-sized deployable kit — plays a pivotal role in his “It’s the ability to be able to well, sort of. engineering missions. reach back, to be able to take Through the use of a self “I’ve been with the Corps of advantage of that capability and to contained secure tele-engineering Engineers, so I know what bring that capability from CONUS communications system, scores of capabilities they have. The problem onto the battlefield. It’s commanders have interacted with is most of the Corps expertise is not phenomenal,” Semonite said. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers here on the battlefield,” Semonite Lt. Gen. Robert Flowers, employees worldwide to get expert said. USACE commanding general, guidance when they need it on the But with Field Force visited Warfighter and said his front lines. Engineering Semonite can bring customers were taking advantage During V Corps’ March those experts closer to the front. of Corps resources. Warfighter in Grafenwöhr, Germany, or example, Semonite says “Every commander in chief’s members of the Engineering friendly forces consider using staff that’s had the augmentation of Research Development Center Fa bomb-damaged . One a Field Force Engineering element (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Miss., as well of his combat engineers can shoot has enjoyed and appreciated the as staff from Europe District, helped video of the bridge’s damage, such increased capability that it brings,” Field Force Engineering doctrine as exposed rebar, save it to disk, Flowers said. inch closer to reality. and then send it along with pertinent See “FFE” on Page 24

ODC: Workload to last for years continued from page 7 contracting, headquarters will be busy with interior work once the roof is complete. Visitors now enter the building via smooth, Other projects in town totalling approximately pyramid fashioned concrete steps. With new $715,000 add to the Corps’ mission. handrails, lighting, paint and landscaping the 72-year- The U.S. embassy nearby will get a new old building’s $25,000 facelift is one of several guardhouse this summer, and the commissary will get upgrades. an improved sprinkler system. The new motor pool gate and guard shack, the The DoDDS combined school will see parking lot behind headquarters, and a safe room construction making it a safer place for the students added $31,000 to the tab. and faculty. Sheer wall will be installed for Water leaks in the ODC’s roof bumped it’s earthquake protection, and asbestos based tiles will replacement to the top of the priority list, Rumrill said. The $200,000 project started in May and is expected be replaced over the summer. to last until November. Once completed, workers can And, when the students return to school in the start the interior improvements. fall, the school bus will have enlarged turn around The electrical systems and plumbing have been space so it does not have to back out of the parking neglected and are in need of serious help, Rumrill said. lot each morning and afternoon. However, now that money is available and the “The Corps is involved in just about every facet updated construction circular makes it easier for of this community,” Rogers said.

Engineering in Europe 10 Summer 2002 Incirlik Improves Anti-Terrorism Measures; Greater Stand-Off By Brian H. Temple Concrete pyramids linked together by rusty cables were common obstacles blocking parking for months, but with an increase in force protection construction, parking lots on Incirlik Air Base are starting to reopen. When a joint security vulnerability assessment team visited Incirlik about two years ago, base staff chose to heed their suggestions. “We shut down practically every parking lot on base,” said Capt. Todd Plotner, Project Engineer for the Photo by Brian H. Temple EMTA Construction Co. workers replace concrete pyramids Corps of Engineer’s Incirlik office. “Dragon’s teeth or “Dragon’s Teeth,” (foreground) with higher curbs and were strewn all over base.” wider sidewalks providing improved anti-terrorism Lots were closed with concrete blocks, or “dragon’s protection. teeth,” to keep vehicles from parking within 25 meters Chief of Engineering Design, Base Civil Engineering. of buildings. This caused a significant reduction in the “At the Hodja Inn we took away 60 spaces, but gave quality of life for residents, Plotner said, as about a them back 60. We arranged it so they park further third of the parking spaces were lost. away from the building but still have a reasonable stand Europe District is now working with Base Civil off.” Engineering and EMTA Construction Co., Inc., on a Safety is not the only aspect of the new parking $440,000 venture installing anti-terrorism parking lots. lots. The redesign includes aesthetic improvements Higher curbs are being installed to keep vehicles from such as new grass and landscaping. ramming facilities, and vertical pipes are being placed Cox said that outside of the headquarters building in delivery driveways as well. they removed a driving lane and replaced it with grass The pipes run about three feet underground and are and sidewalks fanning out from the building toward the somewhat challenging to lift out of place, Plotner said. parking lot. They do provide a significant defense against ramming. The construction has incorporated grass into They are also more practical. selected projects and bougainvilleas have been “With the pipe barriers you have a more planted with the hopes that they will grow maintainable system. Otherwise you shut down and cover walls, Cox said. He parking lots with steel cables and blocks. compared the bougainvillea Every time you want to enter, it’s plants to the combination of necessary to unlock the wires with a rocks, chainlink fencing, and padlock and move them out of the way,” vines that cover the ATFP Plotner said. (Anti Terrorist Force Protection) The raised curbs can help prevent work used in Germany. incidents such as the 1996 Khobar Plotner said that the Towers truck bombing, he engineers have been at said. The curbs help Incirlik for some time, but maintain the standoff there has been a recent shift distance from the most toward force protection populated buildings such as construction. the base exchange, the “Our work will make the dormitories, the dining Photo Illustration by Byron S. Kimbrough base a safer place,” Plotner facility, the club, etc. These two Adana locals pose in front of the Sabanci said. “Part of what we do is “We’re doing what we Central Mosque. The mosque was completed in 1998 discourage [attack by] can to provide parking where and can hold approximately 20,000. Incirlik Air Base is making the base a harder we can,” said Kenneth Cox, located about 15 kilometers from Adana. target.” Engineering in Europe Summer 2002 11 : Bases for Peace, Ba

By Grant Sattler

urope District’s Israel Program Office is taking Funding for the bases was included in the FY 2000 concrete steps, so that a long-hoped for peace may Consolidated Appropriation Act as a Foreign Military Sales Emove closer to reality. The IPO is overseeing case authorized under the Arms Export Control Act. construction of three military bases being built on Israeli “The Corps of Engineers was pulled in to do the oversight territory to house Israeli troops and equipment to be relocated of the construction,” he said. “We started in the fall of 2000 from facilities in the West Bank. The concept is a part of the on the ground, but the planning effort began much earlier that 1998 Wye River year.” Memorandum Beginning with agreement between a handful of people the Palestinian in Israel – Authority and Israel. McCallister, Chief The U.S. Army of Technical Corps of Engineers is Coordination managing the Gordon Simmons, construction of two Program Analyst infantry training bases, Adrien Gero, designed by the Israeli Administration Defense Forces, and a Officer Lorrie design-build reserve Lloyd, and Program division storage base. Manager Rob They will soon solicit Saari, CADD bids for a smaller manager Ed Hiles, fourth site, with the and others at the fifth Wye River Europe District project scheduled to headquarters – the begin next year. Photo by Grant Sattler program has grown “It’s quite unique. Kenneth Goldberg (left) talks with a supervisory foreman at the southern base site. exponentially, but It’s fascinating, in fact, the IPO staff building small cities out in the desert, out of nothing,” said Col. throughout Israel remains small at fewer than 20. Larry McCallister, Deputy District Engineer of the Israel The Wye River program is being managed via the direct Program Office. process and is unique in that it is directly fund. “The money’s “It’s a win-win situation. The Israelis agreed to move troops in the bank and that’s it,” McCallister said. “The Israelis are out of the West Bank if they could get new facilities to move very interested in seeing that every dime goes into bricks and them into,” McCallister said near the end of his two-year tenure mortar, as opposed to paying for additional manpower. That’s as head of the IPO. “The Israelis get their troops out of harm’s why on every site we have just the minimum number of Corps way and the Palestinians get the troops out of the West Bank.” employees, and the Israeli Ministry of Defense (MOD) has

Engineering in Europe 12 Summer 2002 asis for Progress

Photo illustration of Nachshonim Storage Base job site by Byron S. Kimbrough

agreed to give us additional inspectors to help us do the on building’s power which will ensure no cooking takes place work.” during Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath. Work on all three of the major bases is well under way, While most of the southern base is straight-forward while the next project, the Jerusalem-area Site 276 with its vertical construction, Milerski notes that all of the unique challenges because of its location and proximity to infrastructure – potable water, fire suppression systems, historical buildings, will begin this fall. electricity, communications, sewer lines and drainage culverts had to be built before any buildings were begun. “Initially Southern Infantry Training Base there was nothing but a goat field,” Milerski said. The installation’s positioning across a narrow hill valley, The Southern Infantry Training Base is situated a few bisected by a rainy season stream called a wadi, required that kilometers north of Beersheva in the Negev desert region. a giant culvert be installed beneath the site and 360,000 cubic Construction on this, the meters of earth and stone to most remote of the three be drilled, blasted and dug bases, began mid-March “It’s quite unique. It’s fascinating, in from the hillsides. Three 2001 and is now over quarters of that material was halfway to completion. fact, building small cities out in the re-used as fill in low places and as berms for 14 weapons “This is in one of the firing and maneuver lanes in isolated areas that is desert, out of nothing,” two ranges that are part of already being used by the Col. Larry McCallister the base. Topsoil from the Israelis for training,” said Deputy District Engineer cuts was saved and stones Sig Milerski, quality were crushed into gravel on assurance engineer for Israel Program Office site for compaction into pads Southern Infantry Training to serve as level foundations Base 81. “Now we’re for buildings. But the base building a substantial itself is by no means flat — training base with the whole range of support: barracks, dining facilities are positioned at varied elevations. facility, synagogue, offices, gymnasium and classrooms…” “The design is a combined Ministry of Defense and Israel The cost of the 80-structure project is about $40 million. Defense Forces effort,” Milerski said. Construction is a joint Kenneth Goldberg, who like Resident Engineer David venture by Solol-Boneh and Minrav Holdings Ltd. Peng, joined the SITB Project Office from Philadelphia McCallister said, “[The program] is quite unique for the District, said it is not often one gets to build a synagogue while Israelis.” He said the quality and caliber of construction and working for the Corps of Engineers, especially one that faces the level of design effort that went into the project on the north to Jerusalem. Another cultural feature of the base is its Israelis’ part is a new development. “They are looking for dining facility with special equipment that will ensure kosher these [bases] to be showpieces for the future in the way they dietary restrictions will always be followed, including a timer want to train their soldiers and store their equipment.” See “Israel” on Page 20 Engineering in Europe Summer 2002 13 DFAS: Customer involved throughout design process continued from page 5 Safety enforcement is Europe District’s responsibility urope District Construction Representative because the project is being executed directly. Peggy McBride said the structural study called The main work visible now on the exterior is the Efor temporary installation of special I-beam and removal of the roofing tiles so that a moisture barrier turnbuckle bracing for wooden trusses to help ease load and new lattice can be installed. “We’re going to reuse distribution to exterior walls as floors are demolished a lot of the roof tiles, and the pavers, which on a and replaced. project this size saves a lot of money,” McBride said. The exterior appearance of the three-block long “The roof tiles are in good shape. It’s surprising to see building, last used as a contingency barracks for troops how many they can save.” flowing through to the Balkans, must be preserved Like reusing materials, limiting modifications to a because of the building’s location in a historical zone. design while construction is ongoing can also limit “It’s an historical facility for the German costs. Close coordination between DFAS and Europe community,” said John Moreno, Resident Engineer at District and the input of the 26th Area Support Group the Kaiserslautern Resident Office. “It fronts right on and 415th Base Support Battalion Directorates of the city.” Public Works on the building’s design are keeping work Built at the advent of the 20th Century as a barracks within budget. for the German kaiser’s troops, the building faced a “During the design phase there was intensive large parade ground, now a parking lot. Changing the coordination between Corps designers and DFAS. exterior of the building is They were going through the “verboten,” but most of the interior drawings again and again, so alterations are allowed. “The “You’ve got to get the we don’t expect any building will be an admin building changes,” said Project and it will be totally gutted out and demo right because it’s Engineer Rudi Mehrmann. renovated, reinforcing the structure so dangerous.” The Europe District design of the floors and installing a new team included architects electrical system, communications Peggy McBride Winfried Aust and Horst systems and local area network, Construction Representative Zenker, electrical engineers phones, and handicap access with Caecilie Kloeter and Konrad elevators. The windows were Hiller, mechanical engineer replaced 10 or 12 years ago, so Alfred Waldhofer, CADD they won’t be replaced now,” Wadhwa said. “Certain technicians Andreas Busch and Clau Dey, and things they told us not to do, like change the design of translator Kieran Sheehan. the stairwells.” McBride said the customer will be even more McBride said work up to this point has been involved at the worksite as the project gets closer to concentrated on demolition. The structure has been completion, such as when installation for electrical, divided into four sections for the phased removal of LAN and phone lines is to begin. “That’s when we interior walls, electrical, plumbing and heating systems want them here, so we can be sure everything is right and the removal of floors by a 30-member crew with where it needs to be,” she said. “It also helps them contractor SKE Maintenance GmbH. Interior floors, become more familiar with their new facility.” while sound enough for use as a barracks, did not have adhwa said the Europe District will contract the load-bearing capacity necessary for systems for installation of the modular office furnishing and heavy files and automation equipment Wfurnishings to be used throughout the that will be going into the building. Structural demolition building, making it a turn-key project, ready for began March 11, 2002 with the removal of the attic occupancy. floor slab on the north end of the building. Wadhwa said the hard work of all involved is “Up to this point, we’ve been concentrating on the leading to success for this major MCD project. “The demo,” McBride said. “You’ve got to get the demo customer is pleased so far, and at this point we don’t right because it’s so dangerous. When they’re jack see any future major problems other than normal hammering on the floor they’re standing on three construction issues. It’s a major thing we’re doing out stories up, getting them to tie off properly is important.” there and the word will get around.”

Engineering in Europe 14 Summer 2002 Celebrating Construction German Style Anbach’s “Richtfest” Rare Occassion By Brian H. Temple construction of a dwelling. The Ursula Pfefferlein, a contract master carpenter reads an ode to specialist for Europe District’s At the sound of glass breaking a the carpenter, makes Ansbach office said that cheer went up from the 120 several toasts and then carpenters used to travel with German carpenters, architects, places a decorated their tools and a sleeping construction workers and guests evergreen tree upon the bag and went site to site gathered on Ansbach’s Katterbach completed roof. looking for work.They Kaserne, May 15. In a time- In larger projects labored for months on a honored tradition a master such as Building 5815, project with little carpenter guzzled a glass of wine time off, and the a crown made of tree and then shattered his glass against Richtfest was a branches is dressed a brick wall of an unfinished suitable time for them with ribbons and barracks building to wish health and to party. It was also a hoisted from a crane prosperity to its future occupants. Richtfest crown turning point, as they had over the site. Both the The Richtfest, or “topping off” to say goodbye to friends and search ceremony, celebrated the installation tree and the crown are symbols of for more work. of the last roof supporting rafter of continued fortune. Because of its deep roots, the ties Building 5815, a $16.7 million, 240- Labs said when the roof is done to a Richtfest go beyond what some room barracks project, managed by the building owner pays for a may see as superstition – tradition dictates that the ritual take place. the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, celebration for the people who “If you are the owner of the Europe District. erected the building. building and “The you’re too stingy Germans have a to spend the saying that money on the broken glass Richtfest, what brings good luck some of the to you. And workers do is that’s what’s put up an upside behind throwing down broom [on the glass - and the roof] and the glass must that tells your break … It is a neighbors, ‘ah blessing to the look at this house,” said person, he didn’t Axel Labs, pay for the master carpenter fest,’” said with Firm Ullrich Pfefferlein. Wendler, and According to emcee for the folklore, she event. said, if you do He said the Photo by Brian H. Temple not hold a party Richtfest is a (from left to right) Gerhard Koffler, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project you have a good time-honored engineer; Dieter Wagner, Bauleitung Weiss, Hohe and Partner; and Holger chance of being ritual Kunze and Jens-Uwe Schüler of Züblin construction, hammer roof nails into a miserable the rafters of an Ansbach barracks project to prove they still have the family when you accompanying the “oomph” to do a carpenter’s work. Koffler and others participated in a move into the completion of the Richtfest on Katterbach Kaserne, May 15 along with Axel Labs (behind), a shell and roof master carpenter with firm Ullrich Wendler. house. Engineering in Europe See “Richtfest” on Page 17 Summer 2002 15 accurate contract Ed Argueta administration, and worked with Project Engineer his project By Grant Sattler delivery teams to turn around In May 2000, Project Engineer projects that Ed Argueta traded in the American were behind Southwest for a tour of duty in schedule. northern Bavaria with the Ansbach To accomplish Project Office. With 15 years that, Argueta had experience with the U.S. Army to be a quick Corps of Engineers Fort Worth District and its Southwestern Area study on the Office, Argueta was looking for indirect process, different challenges. coordinating with He has found them working on the Bauamt and $24.6 million worth of barracks learning German renovations and a dental clinic for construction and the 235th Base Support Battalion in safety standards. Ansbach, earning Europe District’s “The nomination for the USACE Hard language is Hat of the Year award for 2001. certainly a Most of Argueta’s projects at challenge,” he the White Sands Missile Range said. Communicating with people get that closure, or feedback loop, were complex research and from different backgrounds and confirming that you have that development facilities. Here he has with different skills on a mutual understanding, there can be found the complexity not in the multicultural job site can be difficult. surprises.” design of barracks to the U.S. Army Europe 1 + 1 standard, but Argueta, who earned his in dealing with different types of bachelor’s in civil engineering in customers and coordinating with “Things are done 1985 from the University of different agencies. differently here, but New Mexico but attended rival “This is something new,” New Mexico State University Argueta said. Working with they accomplish the at Las Cruces to earn his German government engineers in same thing.” master’s in industrial the Staatsbauamt and learning engineering, said he enjoys different approaches to Ed Argueta working as a team leader with construction projects on the job Project Engineer seasoned and knowledgeable has been very valuable, he said. colleagues. “Things are done differently here, But the chance to work with “You need feedback so that you but they accomplish the same great people, a job change and thing.” know you’ve had a meeting of the promotion potential were not all that Since joining the Ansbach minds — that understanding,” motivated him to move to Ansbach Project Office, Argueta has Argueta said. “I’ve already seen with his wife Vanessa and assured project quality to the several instances where you think daughters Nicole, 14, and Lauren, satisfaction of the Directorate of they understand what you’re trying 8. He wanted the chance for his to convey to them, but they take it Public Works and tenant unit See “Argueta” on Page 17 customers, ensured timely and completely differently. If you don’t Engineering in Europe 16 Summer 2002 Argueta: Continues his service as a teacher to fill void continued from page 16 and math instructor during the summer months in New children to see a different part of the world. “They Mexico for high school students who are first really like it here.” generation college-bound. His interest in learning has other outlets as well. In the meanwhile, Argueta is busy completing the Argueta has also served as a mentor for co-workers renovation of the Illesheim dental clinic, finishing the and DPW employees as a Construction Quality final environmental upgrade on Barton Barracks for the Management Course instructor for Europe District. last of five POL gas stations, and completing the Outside of duty hours, he is a part time mathematics renovation of Building 5815. Other projects will include instructor with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. upgrading the Katterbach railroad off loading station to The instructor roles fulfill a need he filled in the past TüV standards and future barracks renovations to working with the Upward Bound program as a tutor Buildings 5818 and 5843 to the 1+1 standard. RMB: Board meets in Europe, advances regionalization continued from page 9 of the Philadelphia and New and then have to work as a single “If we drew a line to see where England Districts in manning the business. [People want to know] all the Regional Business Centers Israel Program offices. One item what does the Regional Business are, I think we’d be farther along in of business, which will be direct Center do for me?” the implementation,” Turek said. interest to the members of the She said people can learn more For example, some of the results district was recommendation by the at the RBC’s web site at: include collaboration between the RMB to establish some high-grade www.nad.usace.armyh.mil/RBC/ six districts in NAD on the technical engineer positions in the rbc.htm acquisition of regional districts to sustain expertise and After the conclusion of RMB environmental and MATOC regional support. The Field Force business, members were educated contracts, or the sharing of Engineering doctrine for about the significance of their engineering expertise. An example contingences support implemented historic European location and U.S. was the recent RMB assessment, within NAD, depends directly on Army heritage by participating in a that shore protection engineering regional teaming. professional development staff ride expertise should be located Turek said RMB members of key World War II battlefields. primarily in two districts for collectively agree that in the past RMB members learned how purposes of economy and sustaining they have not done a good job tenacity, incredible courage, and of expertise and support the others communicating to the workforce teamwork overcame extraordinary with shore protection programs. what happens at the RMB and challenges in December 1944 at the Europe District has benefited BOT level. “We’re doing a better “Battle of the Bulge.” Led by a from the regional management job, each of the RMB members are professional military history guide, concept by using the engineering making sure they’re sharing things,” the staff ride included stops at depth of Norfolk, New York, and Turek said. “It’s hard when you memorials at Bastogne, Belgium Baltimore Districts, and the support work as six separate businesses and Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. Richtfest: Crowns hoisted, glass broken, new barracks will be blessed continued from page 15 not fund a Richtfest,” she said. Pfefferlein said although the Corps traditionally Züblin, the contractor working with the Corps, funded these celebrations as part of the contract, the funded this particular event for the employees without funding stopped after a legal review about 15 years taking offense and continued the tradition of wishing ago. It was decided that U.S. taxpayer’s dollars would others well. not be used to fund this type of get-together. Good luck and prosperity should continue for She said the issue is not one that would cause insult, Building 5815. Labs, who has more than 100 Richtfests but the question does come up. under his belt, did shatter his glass, and not only one, “As members representing the U.S. government but two crowns were hoisted over two of the four there are problems explaining why the contract does wings of Building 5815. Engineering in Europe Summer 2002 17 Europe Distrist Helps ‘Prep Battlefield’ in Bulgaria Exercise By Grant Sattler interoperability with NATO. It’s an the Bulgarian Engineer Regiment Europe District’s International opportunity for them to work with 44220 base camp in Plovdiv. Engineering Center recently helped our soldiers, learn what our soldiers Huwe said “[Europe District] “prep the battlefield” for U.S. do and how they do it. We learn assisted troops getting set up with European Command’s engineering some lessons from them, too. As contract support to get their exercise Cornerstone 2002, which we interoperate, it enhances their barracks in place so they have a began June 3 in Bulgaria. ability to join NATO at some point place for a task force headquarters Europe District preparations for in the future,” he said. and to live and eat while they’re out four diverse construction and As part of the exercise, V here doing their work.” th th renovation projects in the months Corps’ 130 engineers conducted Renovations by the 130 preceding the Bulgaria-based training. “The soldiers in my engineers, who are usually bridge exercise helped U.S. military company will be teaching training builders, included extensive interior engineers and the engineer task on the medium girder bridge, on the plumbing, masonry, painting, force of the seven-nation South trestle bridge and the compact 200 carpentry and electrical work, East Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG) to bridge to members of SEEBRIG installation of new parquet flooring accomplish their training objectives. forces,” Kalainoff said. and complete rebuilding of toilet and Work involved renovation of a four- But even as early as March, the shower areas. The host nation th story barracks, construction of a 130 Engineer Brigade began work demolished the existing toilet new bridge and repair of another, as the lead agency for the exercise, facilities and the Corps scoped the and renovation of an orphanage. renovating a barracks to be used to work for planning for the Capt. Jason Kalainoff, house the exercise participants at See “Cornerstone” on Page 19 commander of 38th Engineer Company, 130th Engineer Brigade (Left) Project Manager from Hanau, Germany, explained Tim Huwe talks with Capt. Jason Kalainoff, that Cornerstone 2002 allows the commander of the 38th members of SEEBRIG to work Engineer Co., 130th together to prepare their engineers Engineer Brigade, prior to to respond to a natural disaster or the kick off of Cornerstone 2002 in some other contingency mission. Bulgaria. “It’s [also] a chance for American (Below) The Sinitevo engineers to practice deployability bridge standing nearly tasks while working with members ready for Seabees to of other nations,” he said. complete. Cornerstone 2002 included Photos by Grant Sattler engineer troops from Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, , and the Seabees, and active and reserve Army and Marine engineers from the United States military. Cornerstone 2002, the ninth since 1995, is helping non-NATO participants learn more about the alliance, IEC Project Manager Tim Huwe said. “These nations seek Engineering in Europe 18 Summer 2002 Digging It Up For Maintenance

Breaking ground April 22 for the 299th Forward Support Battalion’s $7 million maintenance shop on Conn Barracks, Schweinfurt are (pictured) Project Engineer John Adams; Lt. Col. Timothy Gorrell, commander 280th Base Support Battalion; (behind) Col. Dennis Dingle, commander 98th Area Support Group; Klaus Glöcke of Glöcke GmbH; DISCOM commander Col. Mark Bellini; Brig. Gen. Douglas Lute, 1st Infantry Division; and Norbert Böhm, Staatliches Hochbauamt, Bad Kissingen. Also participating were Col. Peter Plamer, commander 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division; and Lt. Col

Courtesy photo Hook, 98th ASG DPW.

Cornerstone: Building new , improving teamwork continued from page 18 involved in all the projects and at supervision,” Card said. the same time the Corps needed to The dual-hatting not only saved renovations and materiel purchases, be here on the ground to monitor all money, but provided a unique Huwe said. these contracts. Simply to come opportunity for the lieutenant. 1st Lt. Natalie Card, brigade here periodically would not have “The personal benefit is construction management officer been enough to enable [Europe outstanding,” Card said, indicating said, “The Corps of Engineers District] to monitor the USACE the role increased her knowledge of wrote the contract for all the major contracts. The contractor needed a all aspects of the projects. “I would items we knew beforehand were lot more guidance and daily never get to work this much with a beyond the realm of troop labor. contractor in the rear. It’s good for a They went through the whole legal civil engineer like myself to get this process and contracted that for us opportunity.” to ensure it was done in accordance In addition to the barracks with American standards and renovation, Huwe said another key to government regulations.” Cornerstone’s success was the The renewed 22,000 square foot contracted construction work to barracks facility was turned over to partially complete a five span bridge the Bulgarian army for use in the over the Miritza river which Cornerstone 02 Exercise on June 2. separated the village of Sinitevo from In a cost-saving move, the 130th markets in area towns. Engineer Brigade’s presence for Huwe explained Europe District’s the barracks renovation allowed the multiple roles. “It’s providing Corps to designate Card as the technical expertise to help this Contracting Officer’s exercise and the Army, and to get the Representative for the exercise contractor in place here to set up the projects. project so that troops can complete Photo by Grant Sattler the bridge within the time available.” “It worked out very Tim Huwe meets some of the children conveniently,” Card said. “Someone at the Anna Gizdova Orphanage at from the 130th had to be intimately Bratzigovo, Bulgaria. See “Cornerstone” on Page 23 Engineering in Europe Summer 2002 19 Israel: Security may affect construction has some Israeli soldiers referring to it as the “Hilton for continued from page 13 soldiers.” or the southern base that means IDF Logistics Branch “It will be a lot more comfortable for the trainees with air Construction Center designers considered the conditioning for all the buildings,” Milerski said. Compared to Fpsychological aspects of training a cohesive infantry training locations now used, the southern base and its sister company and the impression the design and layout of the facility base, the Northern Infantry Training Base, will have larger will make upon trainees. rooms, more barracks space, more common use areas, a Aesthetics are also considered. The MOD/IDF design larger, more efficient dining facility, a gymnasium and running incorporates regional style with cut stone facades along the track, he said. main street and roof tops designed to hide unsightly air Nevertheless, it is their new locations inside Israel that conditioning units — one feature of the new training base that trainees will most appreciate. (Right) Nachshonim Storage “I think they will appreciate moving to a Base Project Office electrical new facility and a new area that is safer engineer Helmut Walter talks for the soldiers and their families when with a contract supervisor they come to visit them as they go through about installation of portals in basic training,” Milerski said. Parking the wall of the prototype Dry Storage Building Type A. The outside the facility is designed to dry storage buildings on the accommodate family visitation days once base will be sealed and trainees occupy the new southern base. pressurized to control With an aggressive 18-month humidity and temperature. construction schedule, completion was set for October 2002, but has been delayed by heavy spring rains that converted the choking desert dust into slippery ooze that mired men and equipment for weeks on end. Firing ranges were finished in January and since that time the 10 company quarters areas, company headquarters, staff housing and all the support facilities have taken shape. However, the security situation in the country may impact the (Below) The helopad for the contractor’s ability to continue work on Southern Infantry Training schedule. As the type of work changes to Base overlooks the structures finish work, different workers with taking shape. Beyond the hills lies the “Greenline,” the different skills are needed. As of last demarcation between Israel December, Israeli Ministry of Labor rules and the West Bank. prohibit bringing Third Country Nationals Photos by Grant Sattler into the country. “[The situation] is Israel-wide. It is not directed against our projects. The labor issue is affecting the entire construction industry across Israel,” McCallister said. The IPO is working through the Israeli MOD Building and Construction Department to see what solutions can be found. “We look at our projects as not any more special than any other construction projects, but these were agreed upon country to country,” he said. “We’ve notified all the authorities that there will be impact if we don’t get relief. It’s going to be time and money, and money’s critical.” Engineering in Europe 20 Summer 2002 Northern Infantry Training Base The Northern Infantry Training Base, located near Hadera, mirrors the southern base in design, but is site modified for a hilltop location adjacent to an existing IDF training camp. The northern base is being constructed as a sole venture by U. Dori Engineering Works Ltd., an Israeli company. “Normally, under Foreign Military Sales the contractor has to be a U.S. company, but under Wye River, Israeli firms could do it alone,” said Michael Tibbs, a project engineer at the northern base. “In the three bases we have all three combinations: U.S., Israeli, and joint venture between U.S. and Israeli. “Another difference, besides the terrain, is they’re building more firing ranges,” Tibbs said. “We have six [existing lanes] we’re modifying, two we’re making longer and we’re building two more on the existing range in phase one.” he construction of an additional four ranges northwest of the base, is on temporary hold due to an Tarcheological find where it is to be built. “It rests atop of what is believed to be an ancient city,” Tibbs said. He hopes a planned excavation to determine the extent of the archeological site will allow a shift of the range closer to the base. The contractor is planning on obtaining fill for the center of the base from soil removed from the present hilltop range location. “He needs that soil,” Tibbs said. If the range cannot be (Above) Workers tie in built, it could necessitate a major contract change because rebar in preparation for fill materiel would have to be trucked in from off site. The placing concrete for a archeological issue is key because work on some of the roof at the Southern buildings cannot begin before the earthwork is completed. Infantry Training Base. Although the northern base is the last of the three to be (Left) Sig Milerski, started — ground was broken in February of this year — quality assurance work is moving ahead quickly and the contractor is erecting engineer for the $40 cranes for a different building technique than that used at million Southern Infantry Training Base, the southern base. stays hydrated. “At the southern base a lot of the buildings were going up at the same time. Our contractor wants to start with a technique that he feels will be more efficient and effective lessons being learned can’t be overstated,” Tibbs said. using six tower cranes. They will start with the [10] barracks Also of tremendous value is that the same IDF project facilities, doing one at a time, in hopes to overcome the manager is involved with each location, Tibbs said. manpower shortage by moving workers to each building,” The current problem with bringing foreign workers also Tibbs said. Cranes will move pre-built forms from building to may affect the northern base in the future. “The southern building. base is out in front, hopefully they’ll solve it. We can get some Probably the most critical facility on any training base, the [workers] from the southern base because they’ll be finishing, dining hall has been started already to avoid some difficulties but the Central Base will be competing for same personnel,” experienced at the southern base. Tibbs said. He expects, however, that the IDF will place “We’re really appreciative that there’s a base 8-months priority on completing the training bases, as they impact the out in front of us. The value of the southern base and the greater number of people. See “Israel” on Page 22 Engineering in Europe Summer 2002 21 Israel: Massive amount of earthwork needed on projects continued from page 21 dining halls and support facilities for a cadre of about 500 people. More than half of the base structures are Nachshonim Storage Base dry storage buildings designed to maintain low humidity and temperature. There are 14 different types of dry The Nachshonim Storage Base, commonly called storage buildings. the central base, east of Tel Aviv, is a $125 million “The contractor is building a prototype Dry Storage dollar base designed for long-term storage and Building Type-A now to test, but foundations are being maintenance of IDF prepared for others,” combat equipment and Blackburn said. The vehicles. buildings are sealed to “It is the biggest maintain overpressure project in the Wye inside and will all be River program, a monitored from a pretty significant step central location. towards stabilizing “With the things here in the infrastructure design Middle East,” said finished, the contractor Jody Blackburn, has started Resident Engineer. construction while “It’s an Army design work reserve armored continues.” The IDF is division maintenance intimately involved in and storage facility that all phases of the covers about 320 Photo by Grant Sattler Jody Blackburn watches excavation work at the central base. Design-Build project acres,” Blackburn said. along with the Corps “One of the purposes of this site is to provide a place to and the Joint Venture. “We are used to giving criteria to a reposition reserve units from other areas within Israel contractor for design and then checking if the design and within the West Bank. It will increase Israel’s meets the criteria,” Blackburn said. “Here the IDF is readiness to any adverse actions and therefore it will checking to see if it meets their standards, not just the add to the stability of the area.” The facility will store criteria, so it’s a bit more design review than is normal the supplies, vehicles, weapons, ammunition and for a Design-Build. materiel for artillery, infantry and armored brigades that “We have good working relationships with the will fall in on their equipment during a call up. managers within the IDF and have contact with them Construction began in September 2001 and is being every day,” Blackburn said. accomplished by a U.S./Israeli Joint Venture firm of Other Projects ABB SUSA, A. Arenson, and Baran Group as a design-build project. Project duration is three years While the Wye River program and requirement to with completion expected in summer 2004. be the manager for FMS is the reason the Corps is in Like the southern base, the central base location Israel, the IPO’s presence has also allowed the Israelis also required a massive amount of earthwork, over 2.6 to opt for the Corps to manage additional projects million cubic meters of excavation, and required they’ve chosen to use other FMS funding to build. So construction of a 1.1 kilometer box culvert large enough far, those projects include construction of two flight to drive an ATV through beneath the site. “In no way simulator buildings for the Israeli Air Force, an aircraft will the site be flat,” Blackburn said. “We’re moderating refueling system at Nevatim Air Base and renovation the relief to the point where we can build on it. of a Patriot missile maintenance facility. The central base is laid out like a pie with 10 “It’s timing, they see what we [the Corps] bring to wedges. Roadways, like spokes in a wheel, connected the table in terms of quality, safety and an interior and exterior ring road. When completed, 205 professionalism,” McCallister said. Conditions that structures will be rest at varied elevations around the make the prospect of more work coming to the IPO a base. The core of the base is a logistics center for likely one over the next few years as the Wye River equipment maintenance and administrative space, and Israel programs continue. Engineering in Europe 22 Summer 2002 Cornerstone: Humanitarian work puts smiles on childrens’ faces continued from page 19 girders and the replacement of 170 doorways in, painting, and work in “The contractor has laid the meters of asphalt decking with a the kitchen. ‘groundwork’ for the troops to come reinforced concrete deck to allow “This isn’t typical troop in and finish the job,” he said. The the bridge to be re-rated to 30-ton construction like that for ranges and Corps was involved in the design capacity, Huwe said. Contract troop facilities,” Card said. “It’s process, reviewing the design and in workers removed the substandard definitely a finer quality product that making sure the contracting process bridge surface. we’re leaving behind.” went smoothly. Although completing two bridges When asked about learning that U.S. Navy Seabees arrived during that will economically benefit the her facility had been chosen for the the exercise to complete the decking, people of Bulgaria is something the work, orphanage director Maria railings and the approaches to the engineers can feel good about, Najenova said through a translator, “I Sinitevo bridge. work accomplished at the Anna couldn’t believe it. I wanted it to be Huwe said, “The object here is to Gizdova Orphanage at Bratzigovo true, not a dream. But more provide some humanitarian will even more directly impact the interesting was the reaction of the assistance by giving the Bulgarians lives of the 84 children living there. children. They all asked what the back a bridge that they lost in a flood Engineers from the Tennessee new home would look like and they a number of years ago, so we’ve National Guard, Bulgaria’s began to draw pictures.” sited a bridge that will be a good Partnership for Peace partner state, The children were temporarily training project for our engineers and worked on the orphanage during the relocated to another facility during do it in partnership with the exercise. the renovation. Card said engineers SEEBRIG and the South East Europe “For each Cornerstone exercise will leave a better facility behind for Defense Ministerial Nations. It’s the host nation will recommend the children and improve their quality really an international effort.” The projects to us. This year they of life, but even bigger benefits come 110-meter long bridge was a real recommended this orphanage from the relationships between the value, costing only $300,000. because it definitely has seven nations involved in the Downstream about five substandard facilities where the exercise, “ …working on that kilometers at the town of Ognianovo children have to shower, and in the relationship and leaving a good is the site of a second bridge being kitchen,” Card said. “The scope of impression of America.” worked on with humanitarian work entails an entire renovation of Najenova said, “I think that assistance funds as a part of all the bathroom facilities, the biggest ‘thanks’ to the U.S. Cornerstone 2002. electrical system, new circuit boxes, Government will be the smiles on the Marine engineers from NMCB 7 lighting, cosmetic building repairs, children’s faces when they come took on the repair of damaged adding doorways, closing other back to their new home.”

Rewarded for a “Can do” Attitude

Lt. Gen. Daniel Petrosky, United States European Command Chief of Staff (left) congratulates Joseph Zaraszczak, project engineer for the Stuttgart office, after he awarded him with a certificate of appreciation in Stuttgart in May. Zaraszczak received the kudos from Petrosky for his oversight of the $1.4 million renovation of the EUCOM headquarters. Zaraszczak’s supervision of 14 sub-contractors during the construction, and his ability to keep the project moving through daily visits of dignitaries without interruption, was recognized by the leadership.

Engineering in Europe Summer 2002 23 FFE: Field Force Engineering greatly appreciated in the field continued from page 10 across a river in which the hydrology instantaneous and, in combat, the was “very, very complicated even by quick turn around on answers can Flowers said that commanders river standards,” Edgar said. save lives. When faced with getting are able to leverage the entire “It’s not the water that’s the 50,000 troops across a body of engineer regiment - uniformed problem, its the dirt,” Edgar said. water, tapping into these engineer soldiers, civilian contractors, “It’s the kind of obstacle where there resources makes sense, Semonite academia, and laboratories - and said. focus them to solve a problem any “I can have a lieutenant who has place in the world. a degree in civil engineering, but It works without question, doesn’t have any experience, sit Semonite said. down and try to note something out, “There are many things going on or I can just say, ‘get on the horn, in the rear where I don’t have the tell Vicksburg I need a design and time, or a lot of times, the expertise send me a blueprint,’ and then my to be able to accomplish it all, and engineers will put it in the river,” that’s where I reach back to the Semonite said. “That’s what we’re Corps,” he said. doing here.” Solving problems in the field is Edgar said the main significance what Field Force Engineering is of the FEST teams today, versus the designed to do, and by having ad hoc methods of begging, USACE boots on the ground to borrowing, and stealing to get people nudge the process along, the into the theater, is that USACE can customers get better service. now start to get into the planning As a forward deployed “one man stages on the “ground floor.” show,” one Europe District officer “We’ve never been in at the supported V Corps during the week- beginning of a crisis, and that’s and-a-half-long exercise. Maj. Ernie Photo by Brian H. Temple probably the biggest reason to go Edgar, a reservist for the Europe Maj. George Simon, operations officer with Field Force Engineering … to District who works as an attorney for the 130th Engineering Brigade establish doctrine that puts us, if not practising government contracts law (left), updates Lt. Gen. Robert in a seat at the table, at least in the in Washington, D.C., headed to Flowers, Commanding General of room whispering in that staff Grafenwöhr to be the U.S. Army USACE, on the common operating picture while Col. Todd Semonite, engineer’s ear, ‘hey I can do this for Corps of Engineers’ plug into U.S. Commander, 130th Engineer Brigade, you. I’ve got that capability. You Army, Europe’s war fighting looks over the status of the battlefield. need to be thinking about this … machine. based on our past experience,’” Edgar, a Forward Engineering isn’t enough bridging available. So, Edgar said. Support Team member, was there to now we have to figure out what Edgar and Semonite both get V Corps commanders the other bridging options there are that working together through the answers they needed. aren’t in the traditional combat planning stages to ensure that “I’ve been pinch hitting on the engineer inventory.” logistical and combat operations are combat stuff where it has been Edgar said a solution could be ready is a way to work toward appropriate, but by and large it has found with Corps’ talent success. Field Force Engineering is been plugging into the Corps and troubleshooting the river. How does gradually moving from doctrine to giving the V Corps engineer answers too much, or too little water affect reality and customers and providers so he can provide engineering construction? Would the soil enable are working together to reap the support on the battlefield,” Edgar them to use vehicles to cross? benefits. said. “We’ve had a lot of dialogue with “We are only just beginning to Edgar’s presence saved the the guys back in Vicksburg on see the real contributions that this brigade valuable time. ‘here’s an idea what do you think? Field Force Engineering can bring, as One of the biggest tactical Here is a problem, can you do the we are better able to apply the challenges engineers faced during the analysis?’” Edgar said. engineer regiment as a whole to exercise was how to get troops The dialogue via these deployable solve problems in the field,” Flowers Engineering in Europe communications systems is said. Summer 2002 24