Runway gets needed facelift Published Sept. 19, 2008 By Master Sgt. P.N. Brown Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Dobbins runway received a fresh make over Aug. 18 through Sept. 19 as construction workers installed new improvements to the runway featuring a new lighting system. During the time the runway was closed for renovations, Dobbins' C-130's were moved to Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. and some to Ft. Worth, TX so the work could be done. During the 32-day period, contractors replaced the airfield lighting for the runway, installed new airfield arresting systems at each end of the runways and paved the runway shoulders for the entire length of the runway for the new lighting system. The month long project was initiated several years ago when the 94th Airfield Operations office realized that there was a problem with the airfield lighting system that was in use at runway. "The system was deteriorating rapidly due to its age, and the way the lighting cables were installed," said Clarence Miller, airfield manager. "Dobbins' airfield was experiencing numerous lighting outages that were beginning to affect operations." Partnering with the 94th Mission Support Group Civil Engineering, it was determined that the best course of action would be to replace the airfield lighting system entirely. According to officials, engineers determined that this was going to be a very expensive project and that it would be difficult getting it funded all at once. They decided to break the project into three parts: one part for the West End of the airfield, one for the East End and one to replace the control system located in the center field airfield lighting vault. The West End project was funded first and, new approach lights for that end of the runway was the first project completed. In 2007, CE proposed to Air Force Reserve Command that the remaining two phases of the project be completed at the same time and requested end of year funding to complete this project. Because of the design work that had already been completed through the initiative of the 94th CE, this project successfully competed for end-of-year funding and was awarded the money. Once a contractor was selected, it was determined that the project would require a full runway closure to complete the work required on the runway. In the meantime, Naval Air Station Atlanta was scheduled for closure through the Base Realignment and Closure committee which posed a problem for Lockheed's F-22 Raptor operations that also use the Dobbins runway. Part of the problem was with NAS Atlanta closing, the airfield arresting system was wholly owned by the Navy and they had plans to use it at one of their other installations. Air Force Materiel Command had to become involved in the process and made the determination that a new airfield arresting system would have to be procured and installed at Dobbins to support the Lockheed F-22 program. The project, to include installation and maintenance was funded. Through close coordination between the 94th CE and the 94th Airfield Operations, this installation project was able to be scheduled. "If it weren't for the efforts of the 94th CE working with us every inch of the way and helping to get the multiple projects funded and completed Dobbins would still be suffering with an airfield lighting system that was failing rapidly," said Mr. Miller.
