Grissom breaks ground for $5 million construction project Published Oct. 18, 2006 By Lt. Col. Gary Lockard 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- With the flick of wrists and the turn of dirt, base officials marked the official start of a new $5 million construction project here. Slated to be completed in January 2008, the project will replace the current radar approach control facility. The facility was built in the 1960s and is located off base in the Grissom Aeroplex. The new facility will be built within the confines of Grissom ARB. In addition to the radar approach control facility, the project will include parking, underground electrical service, water, gas, sanitary sewers, security system and an access road. David Construction Inc., of Louisville, Ky., is the primary contractor. Subcontractors are Huston Electric of Kokomo, Ind., and Commercial Air, Louisville, Ky. Grissom's current radar approach control facility provides air traffic control services to military and civilian aircraft. Grissom's 434th Air Refueling Wing flies KC-135 aircraft. Numerous other military flying units and the general civilian aviation community within a 40-nautical mile radius also use the facility. When complete, the 9,900-square foot facility will include 20 rooms and provide work areas for 26 air traffic controllers and staff. Organizations using the facility will include air traffic control, terminal instrument procedures, airspace office and an administrative office. The building will include a training area for air traffic controllers using radar and tower simulator systems. The Grissom Radar Approach Control Facility is the only Air Force Reserve Command air traffic control facility within the National Airspace System, according to base officials. (AFRC News Service)