Nellis makes upgrades to flightline Published March 28, 2007 By Senior Airman Travis Edwards Nellis AFB Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The Nellis flightline is getting a much-needed makeover that includes replacing a portion of a primary taxiway and installing new aircraft arresting systems. Although most people on Nellis won't notice the change, the people who will take note are the pilots and other Airmen who work on the flightline. "While the new aircraft arresting systems are being installed, we are limiting operations on the runway closest to the control tower for safety reasons," said Tech. Sgt. Heather Tegard, 57th Operations Support Squadron non-commissioned officer in charge of airfield management. Because Nellis has two parallel runways, it leaves the flyers and air traffic controllers with one fully operational runway to support the many Nellis missions. The barrier arresting system (BAK-12) is used to stop aircraft that are not able to stop themselves safely. Air Combat Command has asked bases using the older BAK-9 to replace it with the BAK-12, said Sergeant Tegard. The arresting system is installed on both ends of each runway and consists of a steel cable extended across the runway. A fighter aircraft with braking or other problems would drop its tail hook and catch the wire, which would bring the aircraft to a stop. It is similar to the landing system on an aircraft carrier, although the Air Force system does not stop an aircraft as fast, nor does it place as much stress on the airframe. The arresting system contract is being managed by the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron. The contract was awarded to the R. L. Reed company for $600,000, with a completion date of April 30. The taxiway repaving contract, awarded to Las Vegas Paving for $2.2 million, is replacing 96,000 square-feet of concrete; it will take 50 to 60 cement trucks daily for 10 days to bring in enough concrete for the job. The work is being performed on taxiway Foxtrot, which parallels the runways on the west side of the flightline. The work is being performed near the flightline fire department and requires aircraft to detour around the construction. "The concrete was just too old and too damaged to keep making quick fixes," said 1st Lt. Aaron Rose, 57th OSS airfield operations officer. Replacement of the concrete will take more than 100 days to complete and is scheduled to finish by June 1. "Airfield construction projects such as these, although disruptive to wing flying, are absolutely critical to the long-term sustainment of the airfield," said Maj. Michael Grogan, airfield operations commander. "The fact that we are still able to launch and recover jets with ongoing airfield construction is a testament to the outstanding working relationship between the support and flying communities at Nellis." The 99th CES plans on replacing more of the concrete on taxiway Foxtrot south of the current location but a start date has not yet been set.
