HDR Field Services Team Supports European Deterrence Initiative

Russia’s annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 sparked concern from the former Soviet nation-states that flank its eastern border. These countries possess small air forces and depend heavily on NATO, European Union and American allies for protection.

To deter Russian aggression, enhance regional defense and improve the readiness of forces in Europe, the U.S. federal government launched the European Reassurance Initiative — now known as the European Deterrence Initiative. Stemming from our award-winning work completed for the Air Force Civil Engineer Center in Afghanistan, our team was selected to perform construction management services at several air bases and logistics facilities in the former-Soviet states. 

Communication and Partnering Key to Successful Project Delivery

Our in-country staff began each project by attending pre-construction meetings to initiate collaboration among the team. Our team visited job sites to meet with local subcontractors and the United States Army Corps of Engineers to facilitate the start of each project. Back in the U.S., our team members maintained communications with subcontractors and USACE, providing quality control and interface as needed.

Our on-site construction inspector teamed with an in-country firm to provide site inspections, which included punch lists, pre-finals and finals. We then worked with the contractor’s quality control manager and project manager to verify that AFCEC and USACE received a quality end project. Together, they resolved issues prior to starting punch lists and explained why specifications were enforced with local subcontractors — as local code requirements were often not the same as AFCEC or USACE requirements.

The team provided daily construction reports, which were instrumental for our clients to detail activities, base access issues, material deliveries, daily man-power, progress and issues that needed guidance. Without a contracting officer representative in country, our clients relied on these reports and used them to review the contractor’s documents and submittals. 

Emphasis on Quality and Safety

By performing quality assurance reviews and attending weekly construction progress meetings, the team reviewed contract drawings, requests for information, submittals, earnings reports and progress payments. Throughout the projects, our team provided daily and weekly schedule updates to the client.

When required, our in-country staff could tap into the U.S.-based team for engineering support. Our staff verified that the contractor and their sub-contractors followed the three phases of construction, their safety plan, quality control plan, and testing requirements for electrical, HVAC, and plumbing.

Enhancing Capabilities and Improving Quality of Life for Service Members

The projects not only boosted the capabilities of the U.S. and NATO to maintain an operational front throughout Eastern Europe, but also created the ability to use and test the latest aircraft in new environments. Much of the Baltic States remain at or below freezing from November through March, which tests equipment resiliency. The team updated electrical and structural support to keep U.S. forces operating at maximum capacity. 

Though not always glamorous, the infrastructure enhancements make a difference in the quality of life of the service members temporarily deployed there. The goal was not to establish a United States Air Force base, but to take the existing bases and enhance them to meet U.S.-NATO standards.