A $37 million facility will modernize range operations and house simulators to aid training aboard Camp Lejeune, according to base officials.
BL Harbert International LLC of Birmingham, Ala., was awarded a contract valued at $37,909,250 for the design and construction of three new facilities that will house simulation equipment and Range Control capabilities aboard the base.
According to Col. Annita Best, deputy director of the Public Affairs Office, the overall project consists of three buildings: a Simulator Integration Center, Range Control and Navy Boat and Supply facilities.
The new structures will be located on 23 acres on Duncan Street, at the site of the old Brig.
The Simulator Integration Center will be an L-shaped facility 343 feet by 456 feet and “portions of the building are two story in order to meet the height requirements of the simulators inside.”
The integrated center will centralize simulator equipment into one facility, which Marine officials say allows for more efficient training. Some of these simulators have been housed from 2007 through 2011 within temporary structures and will be relocated once the permanent structure is complete.
The simulator equipment that will be moved includes the Supporting Arms Virtual Trainer, Combat Convoy Simulator, Operator Driver Simulator, MRAP Egress Trainer, HUMMV Egress Assistance Trainer, 30 Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer systems, the Range Training & Instrumented Support System (RTISS) and the Minor Training Device Issue & Recovery Center.
The future Range Control facility, “a single story L-shaped structure 150 feet by 205 feet,” will meet or exceed the “ Orders governing facilities management and (ensure) appropriate facilities are properly funded for sustainment, repair and modernization through appropriate Congressional funding.”
The facility will house the administrative work spaces of the Range & Training Area Management Division (RTAM) as it supports daily operations and safety among the ranges, training areas, airspace and waterways of Camp Lejeune.
Included within the RTAM is the Range Control Branch, Range Maintenance Branch, Range Development Branch, Navy Boat Crew Section, Explosive Ordnance Section, Supply Section and Training Support Branch.
Ultimately the new Range Control facility will modernize range control capabilities, centralize all aspects of RTAM and provide appropriate repair facilities for the Navy Boats assigned to Range Control Branch, among other things, according to the .
The future Navy Boat & Supply facility will be 179 feet by 62 feet and includes a covered boat storage area that will be 50 feet by 62 feet.
According to Best, the purpose of the boat shop is “to provide a modernized maintenance facility and storage area for the Navy Boats and their crews used to support the Range Control Division. Currently, these boats are stored outside and are serviced out of warehouses constructed in the 1950s.”
Included within the alloted 23 acres of land will be multiple parking lots for tactical and personal vehicles as well as outdoor training areas for practical training as it relates to RTISS equipment.
Construction is expected to begin in 2017 and end as of August 2018.
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