Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a $9.2 million contract Sept. 23 to Web, LLC, a small business based in Springfield, Virginia, for repairs to the aircraft simulator complex at Naval Air Station (NAS), Kingsville, Texas.

"This project will bring much needed repairs and upgrades to the Aircraft Simulator Facility (Building 2767) and the Operational Flight Training Facility (Building 3788)," said Capt. Erik A. Spitzer, NAS Kingsville commanding officer. "These buildings serve as the primary ground training facilities for Navy and Marine Corps pilots training in the T-45. Annually, 146 student pilots will spend a majority of their time in these facilities during their 52-week training cycle here at NAS Kingsville."

Building 3788, constructed in 1975, contains one large high bay that houses eight flight simulators. Building 2767, built in 1959, is a two-story administration building used for ground training. With the integration of new electronic classrooms, computer-aided instruction, and visual simulator training, student aviators spend about 65 percent their actual T-45 training in these buildings. The classroom and simulator training functions are co-located to maintain an efficient schedule of training events as instructors and students frequently move back and forth between classrooms, simulators and the flight line.

"The facilities must be able to sustain the invaluable training our Navy pilots are receiving at NAS Kingsville," said Lt. Cmdr. Steve Parks, NAS Kingsville public works officer. "The age of the buildings is showing with failures in roof and window systems that are beyond their useful life. Foundation problems in building 2767 have resulted in cracks in walls, settling floors, and doors that do not close properly. Additionally, both buildings are in need of modernization to their obsolete and inefficient electrical and mechanical systems."

The contract award calls for upgrades that will address energy efficiency, operational, and regulatory issues. Most of the complex will see general refurbishment. Exterior work includes re-roofing both buildings, adding insulation to the exterior walls, replacing windows, and weather-sealing the doors. Interior work includes foundation, plumbing, heating, electrical, ventilation and air conditioning refurbishment or replacement. Fire alarm and fire suppression systems will be replaced as needed.

Work will be performed in Kingsville, and is expected to be complete by September 2018.


For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Facilities Engineering Command, visit www.navy.mil/.