From Sustainment to Innovation: Modernizing Tinker AFB’s Aging Facilities

The 72nd Air Base Wing serves as the host organization for Tinker Air Force Base, overseeing a significant mission that includes supporting a 62-building aircraft maintenance complex. This facility plays a crucial role in dismantling, inspecting, and reassembling aircraft such as the KC-135 Stratotanker, E-3 Sentry, B-52 Stratofortress, B-1 Lancer, and C-130 Hercules to ensure they are mission-ready for defense operations.

Given the size and age of the installation, which was established in 1941, extensive architectural, engineering, and construction expertise is essential for maintaining and upgrading its infrastructure. Decades of continuous operation have highlighted the need for significant improvements to sustain the base’s functionality. 

HDR commenced work in June 2016 to provide comprehensive facility management and operational support. Within 14 days of contract award, HDR successfully engaged the majority of its more than 50-member team, both on-site and remote, to meet the contract's demands effectively.

Our construction management and engineering teams collaborated closely with project stakeholders to coordinate and implement project sequencing with minimal disruption to base operations. The projects at Tinker include a wide range of facilities: operational buildings, command centers, housing, medical facilities, fuel depots, hangars, laboratories, air traffic control towers, and maintenance areas. Additionally, our expertise extends to linear projects such as roadways, airfields, and utility infrastructure, including natural gas pipelines and water distribution systems.

The comprehensive scope of HDR's services encompasses:

• Technical and Engineering-Related Services: Preparation of work packages up to 35% completion, supported by a Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization team and the Consolidated Sustainment Activity Group.
• Construction Inspection: Managing and inspecting 50 to 100 concurrent projects annually while coordinating project sequencing.
• Reachback Engineering: Providing complete (100%) project design services.
• Operations Engineering: Conducting facility condition assessments and developing and managing detailed maintenance plans.
• Surveying, CADD, GIS, Utility Outages, and Dig Permits: Supporting various technical and operational needs.