US Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District:
SABRE Army Heliport Runway Repair Project

About this Project

AACON was awarded this “mission essential project” on September 30, 2016. The challenge: complete the SABRE Heliport Runway project before April 1, 2017, when the installation’s main airfield would close. The Army was counting on AACON to have the SABRE Runway re-opened for all military aircraft traffic prior to this deadline, making this a high-profile project, and a high bar to meet.

The Statement of Work consisted of multiple activities including demolition, excavating, subgrade work, base stone placement, drainage layer aggregate placement, drainage piping, airfield lighting, concrete airfield paving, asphalt shoulder work and landscaping. This project posed unique challenges due to the short construction duration of 120 days from start to finish. Adding to the challenge this project was conducted during the winter months. Concrete and Asphalt could only be placed when the batch plants were open under the right weather conditions.

• 7 December 2016: Construction begins with the installation of an access road and installing erosion control measures.
• 15 December 2016: Demolition of the concrete runway paving and subgrade
• 9 January 2017: Removal of subbase, installation of Base Stone and Drainage Layer Aggregate. Special mix of 650 Flex Concrete approved for “Army Airfield Use” by USACE Omaha.
• 30 January 2017: Placement of concrete airfield.
• 6 February 2017: Mandatory cure time of 30 days begins, re-installation of runway lights and site work.
• 6 March 2017: Cure time complete, grooving and striping begin.
• 17 March 2017: Final Inspection, no deficiencies. Project turned over to Ft Knox. Flight Operations at the SABRE Runway commence prior to the 1 April 2017 deadline.