MORÓN AIR BASE, Spain — Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Europe, Africa, Central, in partnership with the U.S. Air Force, celebrated the completion of a $25.3 million Rapid Airfield Damage Repair (RADR) storage facility during a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 28.
The military construction project, awarded in June 2023 and officially turned over Aug. 12, includes two new warehouses and a laydown yard. The facility will house heavy machinery and raw materials, including front-end loaders, excavators, skid steers, concrete saws and bagged concrete, needed to rapidly repair damaged runways. Capt. Andrew Olsen, NAVFAC EURAFCENT commanding officer, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the project.
“Delivering a facility of this scale is no small feat,” Olsen said. “Thanks to the hard work of our NAVFAC team, Morón Air Base leadership, and our contractor Eiffage Group, we have successfully delivered a critical capability to the theater. This RADR facility is a direct investment in our warfighters.”
Constructing the facility required technical problem-solving to ensure the infrastructure could support the heavy machinery.
“We collaborated closely with the contractor to resolve an exterior concrete curing issue that was causing surface cracking,” said Lt. James Gourley, Resident Officer in Charge of Construction Rota construction manager. “By updating the mix design with a new admixture, we improved the concrete's workability and successfully eliminated the defect.”
The completed facility will be used by the U.S. Air Force’s 496th Air Base Squadron to protect high-value tractors and vehicles from exposure to the elements. It also provides a dedicated workspace for contractors to perform preventive maintenance and organized storage for more than 1,100 items.
Air Force Lt. Col. Stephen Parsons, 496th ABS commander, emphasized the facility’s strategic importance to the broader military mission.
“Morón Air Base is in a vital strategic location geographically for War Reserve Materiel and Rapid Airfield Damage Repair equipment, but it also exposes outdoor assets to extreme heat and sun exposure,” Parsons said. “This facility provides vital protection and maintenance housing for over a thousand pieces of equipment valued at $48 million. This protection allows the equipment to maintain a mission-ready status for deployment across five combatant commands once called upon.”
During the ceremony, Parsons also spoke about the joint effort among the Air Force, Navy and industry, noting that infrastructure at Morón continues to expand following a recent groundbreaking for a new U.S. Space Force facility.
“The success of this base relies on Airmen who are stationed here for a year or two at a time putting on the patch of the 496th Air Base Squadron and deciding they are going to make an improvement to this location,” Parsons said. “This facility is a testament to the tireless efforts of the personnel stationed here to create the infrastructure that ultimately allows us to prosecute the missions we need to for our country.”
The ceremony concluded with a ribbon-cutting by Olsen, Parsons and representatives from Eiffage Group, marking the completion of the facility ahead of its official turnover.
Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command is the naval shore facilities, base operating support and expeditionary engineering systems command that delivers life-cycle technical and acquisition solutions aligned with Fleet and Marine Corps priorities.
NAVFAC EURAFCENT provides technical engineering assessments and agile acquisition strategies to fleet commanders while constructing, maintaining and sustaining shore infrastructure to maximize force generation and warfighter capability.
Operating across the U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility, NAVFAC EURAFCENT supports U.S. and allied readiness through the delivery and sustainment of critical shore infrastructure. The U.S. military partnership with Spain enhances joint and allied agility and readiness by providing the capability to safely and securely refuel, repair, rearm and resupply vessels and aircraft. For more information, contact NAVFAC EURAFCENT Public Affairs at mailto:NAVFAC-EAC-PAO@us.navy.mil.