California Construction News staff writer
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District joined Representatives from the Air Force Reserve, Harper Construction to mark the beginning of construction. Air Force officials, community partners, stakeholders and contractors Dec. 16 to mark the start of construction on a new KC-46 Pegasus hangar and training facility at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County.
The $133-million project will modernize maintenance and training infrastructure to support the 452nd Air Mobility Wing and long-term mission readiness.
“It’s an honor to be here today at March Air Reserve Base, as we break ground on a project of vital importance to our nation’s security and military readiness,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Brooks, who gave a special thank you to U.S. Air Force Col. Bryan Bailey, commander of the 452nd Air Mobility Wing. “Sir, your leadership and dedication to your Airmen are the reasons we are here today, and we are proud to partner with you to deliver this critical infrastructure.”
The project includes construction of a new two-bay aircraft maintenance and fueling hangar designed to simultaneously accommodate one KC-46A aircraft in each bay. Existing facilities within the project footprint will be demolished to make way for the new structure.
“This is a significant moment for March Air Reserve Base, which has been a cornerstone of American airpower for more than a century,” Brooks said. “This project will ensure it continues that legacy of excellence.”
In addition to the hangar, the project includes significant renovations to Building 1244 to support fuselage training and cargo pallet storage operations. Planned upgrades include new classrooms, briefing rooms, office space, a breakroom, communications and maintenance areas, and restroom and shower facilities.
Building 1244 also will receive a new roof and updated heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, along with fire suppression capabilities required for fuselage training operations. Existing hangar doors will be sealed, two rollup doors installed, as well as improvements to traffic flow around the facility.
Construction is expected to take about three years. Officials said the project is part of a broader KC-46 modernization effort at March Air Reserve Base, with additional work planned in future phases.
Once completed, the hangar will feature reinforced concrete foundations, a steel frame and roof system, insulated metal walls and modern utilities. The facility will include personnel support areas and dedicated storage for hazardous materials, tools, supplies and equipment.
It will be equipped with fire suppression and fall protection systems, along with environmental controls, such as floor drains connected to the sanitary sewer system and an oil-water separator. Additional work includes communications infrastructure, pavement transitions, parking areas, exterior lighting, fencing, landscaping and other associated site improvements.
The new facilities will provide Airmen with modern, purpose-built spaces to train and maintain aircraft critical to the Air Force Reserve mission.
“What a historic day this is,” Bailey said. “This is the culmination of years, if not decades, of work for our community partners, and I want to say thank you for making this day happen. It didn’t happen because of anybody up here; it happened because of the relentless dedication and the advocacy to know that March Air Reserve Base has been a national power-projection platform for over a hundred years.”
