RYGGE AIR STATION, Norway – Construction is getting underway later this year to upgrade perimeter fencing here as part of a growing military construction program in Norway being managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The work is the first of five already planned European Deterrence Initiative projects for the base. In addition to facilitating interoperability, training and international exercises, the European Deterrence Initiative projects aim to enhance the readiness of Rygge Air Station to support the capability of U.S. forces, Norwegian forces, NATO Allies, and partners to rapidly respond to any situation in the region should the need arise.
“Since 1949, Norway’s been a close ally of the United States -- both bilaterally and through NATO -- and we’re very grateful for that partnership and look forward to building on it – quite literally,” said Europe District Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Project Management Justin Wetherwax while engaging Norwegian and other international engineering and construction professionals at an industry day in Oslo in May. “In today’s security environment, we’re looking forward to building these projects at Rygge Air Station and continuing to reinforce regional security together.”
The more than $200 million in projects planned for Rygge Air Station are funded through the U.S. European Command’s EDI program using U.S. Air Force military construction funds.
“EDI projects like the ones being built in Norway are key to deterring aggression against NATO and ensuring readiness of U.S., host nation and NATO Allies to fight and win if needed,” said Europe District EDI Program Manager Paul Audije. “We’re excited to be working with our U.S. Air Force, Norwegian MoD, Norwegian Defence Estates Agency and U.S. Embassy partners to move these projects from the drawing board to reality in the coming years.”
In addition to perimeter fencing and security improvements, future planned projects include expansion of munitions storage, a quick reaction alert facility, beddown site layout development and a deployable air base system facility, equipment and vehicle storage (DABS-FEV) site.
The quick reaction alert facility involves design and construction of aircraft hangars and associated infrastructure to securely store and maintain fighter jets and facilitate their rapid deployment to respond to emerging threats as needed.
The beddown site layout development involves building a site designed to facilitate the rapid deployment of hundreds of airmen, including shelters, dining facility and other infrastructure should they need to quickly be stationed at Rygge Air Station.
This goes hand in hand with the largest planned project at Rygge Air Station, the DABS-FEV site. This project supports the U.S. Air Force’s DABS concept, which allows a collection of shelters, vehicles, construction equipment and other gear to be pre-positioned and moved to any place the Air Force needs to stand up air operations. The DABS-FEV project also includes construction of supporting facilities including a multi-bay vehicle maintenance shop, vehicle testing facility, vehicle fueling station, above ground fuel storage tanks, parking and associated site infrastructure and security.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District solicitations, bid results and award notices in Norway and throughout Europe and Africa can be found on the SAM.gov website. Additional, broader information on contracting with Europe District can be found on the Contracting section of Europe District’s site here: www.nau.usace.army.mil/Business-With-Us/Contracting/