| Construction is well underway on a new $25.7 million communications facility at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. |
The Middle East District, with contractor CH2M Hill, broke ground on a new communications facility for U.S. Army Central (ARCENT) during a ceremony Nov. 19 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
The new $25.7 million facility will house a multitude of communication systems, including an information processing and operations center, a computer data center with global connectivity, and a network operations center. It is expected to serve as the communications hub for Southwest Asia, providing capabilities necessary to accomplish missions throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
MED awarded the contract Sept. 23, 2009, and the notice to proceed was issued on Oct. 22, 2009, for construction to begin. Completion is scheduled for October 2011.
“The Kuwait Resident Office stands at the helm to oversee the execution of construction,” said Keith Evers, construction manager. “They ensure compliance with the plans and specifications with an emphasis on safety and quality.”
The district maintains a resident office at the facility’s construction site.
“It is great (being so close) when I check on the project,” said Arturo Galicia, project engineer at the site. “If CH2M Hill has questions or problems, we are right here to assist. The short distance works for both parties involved.”
Rashid Attar, project manager, leads a Project Delivery Team comprised of representatives from ARCENT, Area Support Group – Kuwait (ASG-KU), the U.S. Army’s Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM) and 160th Signal Brigade, in addition to the Corps of Engineers’ staff. The PDT works collaboratively to deliver a dependable and cost effective facility.
“The PDT can be proud of its accomplishments thus far,” Attar said. “Team members have found creative solutions when necessary and worked together to overcome each challenge. Everyone is putting forth the extra effort necessary to make this project a total success.”
Stakeholder representatives attending the ceremony included Galicia from MED’s Kuwait Area Office; Keith Waltz from CH2M Hill; Col. Christopher K. Hoffman, commander of ASG-KU at Camp Arifjan; Phillip Onyenedum from the Department of Public Works, which will be responsible for the maintenance of the facility once it is up and running; Brig. Gen. James T. Walton, deputy commander of the 335th Signal Command; and personnel from the 160th Signal Brigade, which will take up residence in the facility upon completion.