Several major construction projects are underway at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station and the Seaplane base. Here’s what’s planned:
P-8A Maritime Training Facility — The Navy is moving P-8A Poseidon squadrons to Whidbey Island. This two-story flight training project includes nearly 100,000 square feet of space for operational flight trainers and weapons tactical trainers associated with the P-8A, which is replacing the P-3. The building includes support equipment, bridge cranes, communications equipment, maintenance support shops, administrative support areas and briefing rooms. The $36.1 million contract was awarded to Korte Construction Co. The building is expected to be completed this winter.
Hanger Modernizations — Workers are expanding and remodeling two aircraft hangars. Hangar 6 is expanding to accommodate the P-8A Poseidon. Part of the remodel includes updating this building to meet building codes. Hangar 9, originally used for A-6 Intruders, was extended this spring to accommodate maintenance on P-3s. The $49 million contract was awarded to Korte Construction Co. Both hangars are expected to be completed by the summer of 2017.
P-8A Tactical Operations Center & Mobile Tactical Operations Center — Workers are building a 29,000-square-foot operations center and turning the previous center into a mobile tactical operations center. The new building will be home to a maritime patrol and reconnaissance wing headquarters. The $20.9 million contract was awarded to RQ Construction. The project is expected to be complete by the fall of 2017.
Hangar 10 EA-18G —This project expands an existing hangar to support another EA-18 Growlers squadron. The upgrades will create enough space for two jets and work spaces. The $23.8 million contract was awarded to the Korte Construction Co. The project is expected to be complete by the summer of 2017.
C-40 Reserve Maintenance Hangar— This two-story, 61,000-square-foot project will support the C-40 Clipper, military version of the Boeing 737-700C airline transport. The $26.5 million contract was awarded to Swinerton Builders. The project is expected to be complete by the fall of 2016.
