Aerial Port Expands at Kandahar Published May 22, 2012 By Capt. Frank Hartnett 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- The aerial port at NATO's busiest airfield has a bit more elbow room. Base officials recently completed a port expansion project at Kandahar Airfield featuring more than 15,000 sq meters of additional space for the staging of outbound and inbound aerial cargo. In addition to new cargo capacity, the construction also improved safety and security with enhanced lighting and airfield fencing. Representatives of the 451st Expeditionary Mission Support Group and Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron marked the achievement with the placement of the first pallet of cargo in the yard. The opening of the expanded ramp was the result of a lengthy planning, programming and funding effort on behalf of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is also one of many improvements made to the airfield by USACE. "We've recently completed work on over 38 acres of pavement, nearly two feet thick." said Jon Jones, resident engineer, Kandahar Airfield USACE office. "Our work also includes security improvements at every step so we continue to improve the airfield." The airfield has seen steady expansion and improvements since its original construction in the 1960s. Kandahar Airfield started as a basic installation but has grown to a fully capable aerial port capable of handling multiple widebody aircraft, in addition to the coalition aircraft deployed and operating daily. "Our Airmen are top notch and are able to handle a lot of passengers and cargo," said Lt Col. Joseph Browning, commander, 451st ELRS. "But in a lot of ways we were limited by our surroundings. This new ramp will make us ready for whatever the mission demands." "Every project allows us to improve infrastructure," said Jones. "More importantly we are doing it in a deliberate manner making sure future users of this airfield will continue to be successful."