Innovative RAF facility short listed for engineering award

An innovative project by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) to provide a new Air Despatch facility at RAF Brize Norton has been short listed for a prestigious award.

The purpose-built facility was delivered for DIO by its regional industry partner PriDE to enable the relocation of 47 Air Despatch Squadron from RAF Lyneham to its new home at Brize Norton.

Now the building, which took 14 months to construct, has been short listed in the Institution of Civil Engineers South East England Engineering Excellence Awards.

The large steel-framed structure will be used for training and preparing for operations. It houses an overhead travelling gantry crane which will be used to load up aircraft including Hercules jets and, in the future, A400M Airbuses.

Other innovative features include high-level walkways built into the building for mechanical plant access and maintenance, a working platform incorporated into the crane, and a roller bed system for transferring pallets.

Denis Williams, Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) Project Manager, said:

“DIO’s priority is to support our Armed Forces as they prepare for operations.We are pleased with the performance and quality of the work which PriDE Ltd and their partners have delivered at RAF Brize Norton. “47 Air Despatch Squadron Royal Logistics Corps is an excellent example of one of the portfolio of capital works projects that has been completed so far and we are thrilled that the project has been      recognised in this way.”

Major Colin Munce, Royal Logistics Corps said:

“The new 47 Air Despatch Squadron HQ is a world class facility which will undoubtedly enhance air despatch support to operations. We are tremendously proud of our new Squadron 'home' and are delighted with the quality and standard of the equipment. It will allow us to operate more efficiently, safely and will vastly improve the manner in which we prepare and train our people for operations.”

Ends

Picture caption - The new 47 Air Despatch Squadron building at RAF Brize Norton  Crown Copyright MOD/2013

Notes to Editors

1. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is part of the MOD. We are responsible for managing and maintaining land and properties, as well as providing related support services, to meet the current and future needs of the MOD and personnel at home and abroad, and to support current operations.
2. Our work includes providing, supporting and improving: operational units; single living and service family accommodation; training areas and historic military sites. DIO actively manages these and supporting services, such as soft facilities management and guarding, to ensure the needs of Defence are met, value for money is achieved, heritage protected and environmental goals achieved.
3. PriDE is a joint venture between Interserve Defence Ltd and Southern Electric Contracting, created specifically to manage DIO’s South East Regional Prime Contract (SE RPC). Valued at around £380m, the SE RPC is one of five regional prime contracts currently in place in the UK. As Prime Contractor, PriDE is responsible for estate management and construction services at almost 100 MOD sites throughout the south-east region, encompassing nearly 6000 buildings and facilities'. These facilities include some of the MOD’s largest and most prestigious sites such as RMA Sandhurst, St James’ Palace, Cavalry Barracks and RAF High Wycombe.

Press enquiries to Emma Sloper, Communications Officer 0121 311 2418 or email emma.sloper100@mod.uk