First US military construction in Australia since WWII

United States Force Posture Initiative in Australia has commissioned the construction of the first military project to be built in Australia by the US since World War II.

FILE PHOTO: A US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey in the Northern Territory. Photo by Sergeant Janine Fabre.

The four-spot helicopter parking apron and supporting facilities will be built at RAAF Base Darwin at a cost of more than A$30 million.

Global project managing company AECOM has been selected by the US Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) to deliver the fixed-priced contract for US$24 million.

Awarded in May and announced yesterday, work is expected to be completed in 2019.

The contract is the first of many expected to be delivered under the United States Force Posture Initiative in Australia, in which Australia and the US will invest more than US$1.5 billion into existing defense infrastructure and facilities in the Northern Territory.

This is part of an overall investment package estimated around US$6.12 billion over the next 10 years, providing opportunities for sectors including construction, professional services, maintenance and logistics.

AECOM’s executive vice president and general manager of Construction Services’ Federal Division Vern Kuehn said the company was honoured to continue its partnership with the US Navy, supporting the Force Posture Initiative.

“This project will provide critical defence infrastructure and expand our federal construction portfolio in the Australian market,” he said.

“AECOM has extensive experience in the federal sector and has worked in partnership with the US Navy for more than 40 years.”

The company said in a statement that for local experience and supply-chain connections, AECOM had partnered with Fulton Hogan to deliver this project.

The scope of work includes four additional airfield-rated concrete, paved parking spots with asphalt shoulders; installation of four additional Type III fuel hydrant pits connected to existing fuel lines; and relocation of existing fuel isolation valve pits.

Additional work includes the installation of airfield ground lighting, stormwater collection and treatment system, jet-blast deflectors and construction of an asphalt access drive.

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