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Making Tinker better, nearly 200 construction projects underway

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  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., --  Tinker is a massive installation. With several assigned and associate units, it takes a lot of work, especially in construction projects, to keep the base operational. Officials said the fall season typically brings a lot of projects.

There are approximately 185 new and on-going construction projects at Tinker. While most of the projects are routine maintenance that occurs throughout the year, others are the result of contracts that were awarded at the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 30.

"Tinker Air Force Base is like a small city," said Richard Stewart, Tinker Support Services Joint Venture Sustainment Restoration and Modernization engineering manager, within the 72nd Civil Engineer Group.

"Keeping this small city up and running involves regular maintenance - repairing the infrastructure and keeping the streets and runways in good condition," Mr. Stewart said. "Some of the work is associated with the last [Base Realignment and Closure initiative] and new functions that moved to the base."

Tinker is essentially divided into two parts. Construction on the west side, or non-industrial area, is overseen by Mr. Stewart and his team. Within his area, there are approximately 60 construction projects underway. Their progress, he said, ranges from planning to finishing stages. Projects include replacing broken sidewalks in the dorm area and large roof replacements. Mr. Stewart said the cost of projects range from $20,000 to $2.7 million. Depending on the extent of the tasking, a project may take a couple of months or up to a year to complete.

The industrial side of the base is overseen by Minna Ale (pronounced Ah-le), a 72nd ABW/Civil Engineering Contract Engineering manager whose group provides support for the 76th Maintenance Wing's Depot Maintenance Activity Group.

Ms. Ale said there are approximately 125 construction projects in the works in her area. Of them, only 25 projects are in full-swing. The rest of them are in the planning, designing or soliciting-for-a-contractor phase.

Projects on the industrial side of base cost between $50,000 and $5 million, Ms. Ale said. With so many projects underway, base personnel are often curious about construction being done around their workspace.

"The best way to obtain information on a project is if you have the five-digit work order number or the six-digit WWYK number -- an Air Force indicator that designates a project number is for Tinker," she said.

Most of all, Mr. Stewart said these projects are designed to better the Tinker community and those who work and live on base.