TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – A groundbreaking ceremony for the single largest military construction contract on record in the Air Force database was held here, Sept. 13, 2022, as Tyndall began construction on flight line facilities to directly support the F-35A Lightning II aircraft and personnel that will call the base home beginning in September 2023.
The $532 million construction contract was awarded to the Hensel Phelps Construction Company by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deliver 11 projects in Zone 1 of the installation’s 12-zone rebuild, which encompasses F-35A flight line operations.
“In order for us maintain air superiority that we need, it starts right here,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Russ L. Mack, deputy commander Air Combat Command. “It starts with these 11 projects that they will begin breaking ground on as soon as possible so we can bring that mission right back here to Team Tyndall.”
The Air Force Civil Engineer Center's Natural Disaster Recovery Division, based at Tyndall, is leading the rebuild effort of the installation following the devastation of Hurricane Michael, a category five storm.
Zone 1 includes several aircraft hangars, a maintenance complex, group headquarters, aircraft parking aprons, aircraft support equipment storage, a corrosion control facility and an F-35A flight simulator training facility.
This project directly supports the planned increase in flight line activity when the F-35A mission arrives to Tyndall driven by a team of stakeholders whose shared goal is ensure the new mission has the required capabilities for operational readiness.
“It’s our partnership we’ve forged here over the past three years that could deliver this moment today,” said U.S. Army Col. Jeremy J. Chapman, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District commander. “The hard work and dedication that I’ve witnessed up to today will be a critical attribute to achieving this Installation of the Future.”
The facilities will continue Tyndall’s transformation into a high-tech, robust fighter wing built to meet the needs of current and future forces by incorporating resilient infrastructure, innovative designs, and novel technology to equip Airmen to execute the mission of today and tomorrow.
“Tyndall is going to evolve into a more lethal, ready, and resilient base,” said Mack. “The primary focus will remain on prepping the buildings, prepping this runway, and prepping this mission to support the F-35s.”