from Staff
Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a $37 million design-build construction contract to DCK North America LLC, headquartered in Large, Pa. to build a new training facility for the Multi-Mission (MMA/P-8A) aircraft at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. The MMA/P-8A will replace the P-3C Orion as it phases out during 2012 and 2019.
“I am honored that NAS Jacksonville was selected as the site for this multi-million dollar contract to build the most modern Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) training center in the world,” said Capt. Rich Fite, commanding officer of Patrol Squadron (VP) 30. “The Integrated Training Center (ITC) will facilitate the Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Fleet’s transition from the P-3C to the P-8A Poseidon (a modified Boeing 737-800) with state-of-the-art technology.
“VP-30 is home to the Navy’s finest instructors and trains pilots, naval flight officers, and aircrew to face a multitude of operational challenges in a demanding maritime environment. The future looks extremely bright for the Fleet and the new ITC will help cement our foundation as a center of ASW excellence.”
Commenting on the new construction project, NAS Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Jack C. Scorby Jr. stated, “I am delighted that this sophisticated trainer is going to be built aboard NAS Jacksonville. This project consists of design and construction of a two-story, 165,475 square-foot operational training facility for P-8A/Multi-Mission Aircraft. This will be one of the most sophisticated training facilities ever built by the Navy and it will include space for 10 Operational Flight Trainers, eight Weapons Tactics Trainers, four Part Task Trainers, support equipment, computer-based training stations, maintenance support shops, administrative offices, student study rooms and many other amenities. We will have the Navy’s best and the brightest training at this facility.”
The work is expected to be completed by June 2011.