A contract the Corps awarded in 2008 for the construction of a 145,000 square foot Battlespace Environment Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base was seen to fruition, and the structure, which cost nearly $60 million, was officially opened for business April 21.
Construction of the lab was a result of Congress’ 2005 Base Realignment and Closure decision which directed the relocation of the Air Force Research Lab’s Battlespace Environment Division from Hanscom AFB, near Boston, to Kirtland by 2011. The Corps broke ground on the lab in early 2009 and constructed the facility in less than 18 months.
The project engineer was Joan Coffing, the project manager was Connie Runyan and the quality assurance was performed by Al Lopez and Carlo Trujillo.