Buildup Officially Begins on Guam

First troop buildup-related project kicks off .
by Jennifer Naylor Gesick
Friday, 16 July 2010
Variety News Staff

THE first phase of a $4 billion project related to the military buildup kicked off during a groundbreaking ceremony on Naval base yesterday.

Naval Facilities and Engineering Command Marianas along with Commander Submarine Squadron 15 led the ceremony at the future site of a new two-story submarine squadron headquarters and submarine learning center, and a one-story torpedo exercise support building.

“These two projects will significantly advance our ability to train and support the submarine force in Guam,” said Captain Douglas Wright, commander of the CSS-15.

Currently, there are three submarines stationed on Guam, the USS Corpus Christi, USS Houston, and the USS Buffalo. A fourth, the USS Oklahoma City will come to Guam later this year.

“This is a classic case of building the garage to put the Maserati in,” said Captain Peter Lynch, commanding officer for NAVFAC during his speech.

Lynch compared the new facility to a luxury car garage, which has a price tag of $23.5 million, and will house $22 million worth of equipment and training materials.

This is the first project of the multiple award construction contract awarded to seven companies in May for a total of $4 billion.

The learning center will feature academic and applied training that will consist of simulators and team trainers along with classrooms and instructor offices. The headquarters building will have offices, an emergency control center as well as material and equipment storage rooms.

The torpedo exercise support facility will include a target preparation area, helicopter launcher, checkout and preparation area, exercise torpedo flushing operations room, and support office spaces.

dck pacific was awarded the contract for these three facilities. The total price tag for this project is $23.5 million, and is expected to be completed by November 2011.

Lynch said this groundbreaking was the beginning of many projects and people should expect to see construction around the island over the next several years as part of the marine buildup.