AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar -- A splinter-protected, 1500 square foot shower, latrine, and laundry facility is being constructed by the 1st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group for the first time as part of an ongoing project to enhance facilities on Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.
The facility will serve pilots and maintainers of C-21 aircraft on the flight line, and will replace temporary latrine options that existed previously.
“The mission required a splinter-protected facility that could replace the port-a-john and cadillac to ensure the safety of the DVs and maintenance crew,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jacques Ridore, the project manager. “This is the only hardened facility in that area.”
The project has been a work in progress for over two years, but during their rotation on AUAB, 1 ECEG has made significant steps toward the completion of the project.
“In the last three months, we have placed over 75 cubic yards of concrete, over 1000 concrete masonry units, and close to 6000 feet of metal reinforcement”, said Ridore.
The construction team is composed mainly of Air National Guardsmen. Senior Airman Ethan King, a 1 ECEG structural journeyman, is studying architecture in his life outside of the guard. He was one of the first 1 ECEG members on the project.
“It’s been great seeing the progress we’ve been able to make since we’ve been here,” said King.
The project serves an important role in the flying mission at AUAB. The new, permanent facility, which is slated for completion by the end of October 2022, improves the safety and efficiency of airmen at the wing and will serve future maintainers and air crew for rotations to come.