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Officials celebrate new airpower capability for Bagram

  • Published
  • By Capt. Michael Meridith
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  Yesterday's ribbon cutting for two new flightline ramps here brings new capability to Coalition air operations, said NATO and Air Force officials. 

"These ramps represent a vision of continuous improvements in our warfighting capability" said Maj. Gen. Freek Meulman, the International Security Assistance Force's deputy commander for air. "They will serve as launch pads and resting sites for the long-term commitment of our Coalition in the fight to achieve safety and security here in Afghanistan." 

The $9.3 million joint venture between the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency and the Yuksel Construction Co. provides significantly more parking space for helicopters and the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing's own F-15E Strike Eagles and A-10 Thunderbolts, said Kevin Cullen, the project manager. 

Cullen also noted that the project helped to provide a boost to the local economy while at the same time meeting the project's stringent requirements.

"We employed about 80 Afghan workers for the project," said Cullen, who noted that although the project was initially delayed, it was finished on-time, on specification and within budget. 

Air Force Col. Dan Debree, vice commander of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, lent an aviator's perspective when he expressed his own thoughts on the significance of the project. 

"These ramps represent quite a bit of capability for Bagram," said Colonel DeBree. "I fly in the F-15E and this is something we desperately needed. Although ramp space here has increased by 70 percent in two years, it doesn't matter because a quick look will show you that every bit of it is used up." 

General Meulmann also observed that the ramp was just the latest in a continuing series of projects designed to increase Bagram Airfield's ability to support Coalition efforts throughout Afghanistan. 

"We will continue to work together in building what I call an overwhelming capability in our common mission toward security and stability throughout Afghanistan.
This new ramp will provide a long-lasting base for our dedicated Airmen, who are committed to executing their challenging job here in Afghanistan," said General Meulmann.