By Angela E. Kershner,
Honolulu District Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HI -- A traditional untying of the maile lei and ground breaking ceremony was held last week for the FY11 Alter Fuel Storage Tanks project at Area 11, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH). The ceremony was presided over by Reverend David Kaupu.
The $7.7 million contract was awarded on May 26 to Louisville, Ky.-based Reliable Contracting Group by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District.
The project includes the installation of floating pans, high- and low-level alarms, and service platforms; installation of a secondary concrete dike containment; the replacement of the hand-operated fuel recovery system; and various other improvements and repairs.
“This project is going to increase our warfighting capability at the Joint Base,” said Al Parks, Fuels Division Chief of the Naval Supply Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) at JBPHH.
The fuel storage tanks are operated by the FLC, and the fuel contained within the tanks is regulated by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).
“The facility is going to be more reliable because you have automatic tank gauging and the hi- and low-level alarms,” said DLA Project Manager Wesley Hirano.
Following a Phase I and Phase II replacement of the hydrant fuel systems, these alterations to the fuel storage tanks are the final step in improving the facilities at Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
“This project should finish up everything we need,” Hirano said.
Reliable Contracting Group has extensive experience in fueling systems, which includes prior Department of Defense work at several Corps districts including Fort Worth, Omaha, Mobile and Jacksonville Districts.
“This project provides us another challenge to do the work we pride ourselves in,” said Mark Keeling, project manager for Reliable. “We are being supported by a lot of local contractors that will be playing a vital role in the project.”
In addition to utilizing local businesses, the project will also provide additional environmental protection. The alarms being installed will provide ample warning to prevent a spill while the secondary concrete dike containment facilitates easier cleanup.
"The fact that we are bringing the tanks up to higher environmental standards is great,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. David Laramie, Executive Officer of FLC.
The project is expected to be completed in December 2012.
The Honolulu District is committed to building and managing the construction of projects that improve the quality of life for service members and their families and that provide jobs and money which stimulate the local economy.