Homeland Security

Airport Security Upgrades, Hawaii and American Samoa,
Boeing/Turner Aviation Security/Transportation Security Administration

AGSC was called upon to provide security upgrades of passenger check-in areas at six airports in the Pacific Rim. Upgrades included redesign of areas for better passenger flow, luggage and passenger screening areas, new concrete and electrical work, and high security screening equipment. Despite the challenges of working in a commercial, high-traffic environment and the need to minimize disruptions to daily operations, AGSC met the 3-month deadline mandated by TSA.

Design/Install Radiation Sensor and Communication Equipment in Second Line of Defense Foreign Countries; U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration

As part of the crucial mission of the NNSA, the Second Line of Defense (SLD) program will enhance international nuclear safety and non-proliferation and reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction. Under this program, AGSC is providing comprehensive services for installation of Radiation Sensor and Communication Equipment (RESCE) at international airports and transshipment hubs around the world. Under this program AGSC will secure up to 100 mega-ports and several thousand transit locations in more than 30 foreign countries in the next 2 years. AGSC’s services include: engineering site surveys, design and installation of RSCE equipment, and demonstrating operability of the entire RSCE after installation.

Marine Construction

Rescue Vessel Pier, Lake Tahoe, CA, U.S. Coast Guard Civil Engineering Unit

The U.S. Coast Guard’s rescue vessel pier at Lake Tahoe was rendered unusable when several of the wood piles supporting it failed. Due to the oncoming summer vacation season, the new pier had to be designed and constructed fast. AGSC met with USCG design engineers to discuss changes that needed to be made to the pier design. Several structural, electrical, and mechanical changes were incorporated into the design and construction got underway. With the summer season coming fast, the project was broken into two phases, addressing the critical need to get the new pier in place first, then installation of the associated equipment in the second phase.

In Phase 1, AGSC demolished the existing pier, and then constructed the new superstructure complete with a boat lift, U.S. Geological fathometer, and surveying equipment. The second phase consisted of a new fuel system with tanks and fueling station, fire safety equipment, electrical system upgrades, high intensity lighting, and a complete communications system. The project was highly successful, resulting in a letter of commendation from the Commander of the San Francisco Coast Guard.

Maintenance Dredging, Noyo River Harbor, Fort Bragg, CA
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco

The Noyo Harbor is not only used for recreational purposes, but also supports the local commercial fishing industry. As a result, maintenance of the harbor is critical to the local economy. AGSC rapidly mobilized to meet permit requirements that required dredging be complete by November 15, 2000. AGSC self-performed suction dredging to clear nearly a mile of the Noyo River. Operations began in the harbor mouth, which was exposed to the ocean and presented numerous difficulties with high seas, cobbles, boulders, and constant repositioning for ship traffic. In addition, adverse weather conditions forced three separate attempts to dredge the harbor mouth. Management of dredged material posed its own challenges, requiring continual movement of materials in the settlement basin and accommodations for the large volume of water generated from the operations. AGSC also maintained close monitoring of the effluent to ensure the solids complied with the discharge permits. Despite the many challenges, AGSC successfully completed the dredging in full compliance with the permit requirements.

Floating Dock Construction, Monterey Pier, Monterey, CA
U.S. Coast Guard

AGSC designed and built a new floating dock as a replacement for the existing fixed pier used by the USCG to moor their patrol and support boats. The design included a 100-foot X 10-inch floating concrete dock, new access ladders, security gates and gangway; sewer, air, and water; with complete shore power and communication terminals. AGSC worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, California Coastal Commission, Fish and Wildlife, and National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) to obtain permits. Due to the proximity to families of sea lions in the area, AGSC also obtained an Incidental Harassment Authorization from NMFS. The complete pier successfully eliminated the damage created from mooring to the previously fixed pier and minimized the maintenance activities required to continually observe tidal cycles and make adjustments to mooring lines.

General Construction

Fire Training Facility construction, Hickam AFB, HI
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu

When the Hickam Air Force Federal Fire Department and the State of Hawaii Honolulu International Airport Fire Department needed a new aircraft fire training facility, AGSC was awarded a contract to build the project. The purpose of the project was to build a mockup of a transport-sized aircraft that could be used to train fire fighting personnel in handling aircraft fires. To achieve the realism needed, AGSC fitted the aircraft with flame effects that were fed from a large liquid petroleum gas tank fire suppression headers that fed from a reclamation pond. The burners and the reclamation pond are remote controlled from a new observation /control tower. The site had to be elevated 4 feet to accommodate a burn pit and the retention pond. In addition, to discourage the local birds from gathering at the ponds, the area was fenced and covered with netting. In all, the new facility consisted of a 150-foot-diameter burn pit, a new control tower, 120,000 gallon propane tank, a water system with retention pond, a training shelter, new roadways, and the fully outfitted mock aircraft frame.

Refrigeration System Installation, Camp Red Cloud, Rep. of Korea
Defense Commissary Agency

Under a contract for the Defense Commissary Agency, AGSC constructed a retail refrigeration system for a new grocery store located in Camp Red Cloud in Uijongbou, Korea. Unique challenges accompanied the project: the work was funded using split funding sources and final construction being done overseas in a foreign country. To overcome these challenges, the AGSC refrigeration work force was assembled using both U.S. nationals and local Korean nationals to maximize efficiency. Refrigeration system-specific components were procured and assembled to the greatest extent possible in the U.S. and shipped via container to the job site. General construction materials were procured locally when appropriate. As a result of AGSC's approach to construction and logistics, the empty building shell was soon transformed into a full commissary, on time and within budget.

Voice and Data Wiring Upgrades, Multiple Locations in Alaska
Alaska Army National Guard

The Alaska Army National Guard’s voice and data communication systems were outdated and were in need of significant upgrades to handle the increasing demands of imposed by the new information age. AGSC, supported by several specialty subcontractors, assisted by conducting site surveys at National Guard facilities in four cities. After identifying necessary upgrades and making recommendations, the AGSC team designed, ordered, and installed the recommended system upgrades. Once installation was complete, AGSC tested the systems and prepared a comprehensive data package consisting of as-built drawings, test results, certifications, and product information. Throughout the challenging project, AGSC engineers and installers worked hand-in-hand with National Guard personnel to successfully minimize down-time and impacts to daily activities.

Civil Construction

Recycle Facility Construction, Beale AFB, CA
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento

AGSC provided turnkey services for design and construction of a new concrete recycle facility at Beale AFB, CA. AGSC took into consideration the wear and tear inherent to a recycle facility and designed features that ensured the facility would last for years to come, such as finishing curbs with wood to prevent damage from steel roll-off bins. In all, AGSC constructed more than 29,000 sq feet of concrete, 200 lineal feet of curb, and 800 feet of sewer, storm, and water conveyances, all enclosed with cyclone fence. The project was not only completed on-time and on-budget, but AGSC received excellent performance reviews from our client.

Boat Ramp and Facilities Renovation, Little Grass Valley, CA
U.S. Department of Agriculture

As part of their efforts to upgrade public recreation facilities, the USDA contracted with AGSC to renovate the facilities and boat ramp on Little Grass Valley Reservoir. The first phase of work consisted of quickly removing and replacing the existing concrete boat ramp in the narrow construction window available, while lake levels were low and before freezing temperatures set in. This work included ramp demolition and construction of a new 30 ft X 233 ft ramp in its place. To achieve the special finish required, AGSC specially fabricated finishing tools.

The second phase took place in the following spring and included renovation of the existing public facilities to restore them to good working order and improve their appearance. The work included a new fish cleaning table, replacement of the concrete vault restroom, a new septic tank and leach field, several hundred feel of asphalt trailway, and resurfacing of asphalt surfaces.

Airfield Spur Construction, Edwards AFB, CA
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles

As part of a Joint Venture design/build project for the removal of an existing Test Support Facility, AGSC designed and constructed three new aircraft parking spurs with all associated appurtenances. This included installation of aircraft moorings, utilities, instrumentation, communications systems, fuel systems, and other site improvements. Special construction issues included construction using materials specially designed for heavy aircraft and specialized lighting protection and cathodic protection systems. Working at an active airfield required extensive coordination with on-site activities, while ensuring construction of the facility met stringent safety requirements.