DIO delivers better facilities for Suffolk-based forces
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has delivered better working conditions for both American military staff and British defence personnel with a £3.5 million revamp of a wartime hangar building at RAF Mildenhall.
Working with industry partner Morgan Sindall, DIO has transformed the existing 1936 structure into a light and airy workplace for personnel from 100th Air Refuelling Wing Logistics Readiness Squadron and its Ministry of Defence colleagues.
Structural works to improve the building include replacing the original roof with a new insulated profiled metal cladding system, complete with roof lights. Existing single glazed high-level windows have been replaced with double glazed units and the hangar’s steel framework repaired.
Inside, the building was cleared of a warren of single brick-walled offices and temporary buildings. This provides an open-floored warehouse for receipt and distribution of goods. A new packing and crating workshop allows wooden shipment containers to be made in a cleaner environment - thanks to a new dust extraction system, saw benches and machinery. The heating system has been extended, sprinkler system modified and a fire alarm system installed.
Chris Shades, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron logistics manager, said:
“Prior to this work, the lights in the facility had to be kept on 24/7 to enable staff to conduct their work and only half the facility had proper heating. Now, the lights are only needed during the hours of darkness, no lights are required even on dull days and the heating in the annexes and the warehouse have been repaired or replaced.
“The modernized offices are like new. Light and airy double glazed windows reduce noise and drafts, and the purpose-built woodwork shop is outstanding, providing a light and spacious environment for our staff. Staff members who had worked in the facility before work was carried out were overwhelmed with the transformation and now enjoy a pleasant work place.”
Adjoining office annexes were modernised as the roof was replaced, old single-glazed windows switched for new double glazed units, with interior doors, ceilings, heating and lighting replaced.
DIO Area Project Manager Steve Baxter said:
“DIO plays a vital role in supporting the front line by efficiently providing infrastructure services which the UK’s Armed Forces and its allies need to do their jobs. Our priority is to enhance the service we provide to Defence and deliver a better estate for our users.”
Gavin Napper, area director at Morgan Sindall, added:
“The hangar at RAF Mildenhall has undergone a true transformation. The renovated building will now provide service men and women with a bright, modern, and more comfortable environment to work in. We’re delighted to have had the opportunity to deliver this important project in partnership with DIO and the American Forces.”
ENDS
Further information:
Press enquiries to Tony Moran, Senior Communications Officer 0121 311 3879 or email tony.moran572@mod.uk
DIO website: www.gov.uk/dio
Twitter: @mod_dio
Read DIO’s blog: https://insidedio.blog.gov.uk/
Notes to Editors
1. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) plays a vital role in supporting our Armed Forces by building, maintaining and servicing what the men and women who serve our country need to live, work, train and deploy on operations.
2. DIO is part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It is 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.
3. Our work includes supporting operational units by providing and improving single living and service family accommodation; training areas and historic military sites. DIO actively manages these to ensure the needs of Defence are met, value for money is achieved, and its heritage is protected, and to achieve its environmental goals.
Picture captions – please credit ‘Morgan Sindall’:
Exterior of the refurbished wartime hangar building at RAF Mildenhall (9291 & 9280)
Open-floored warehouse space for receipt and distribution of goods (9316)
New packing and crating workshop (9297 & 2909)
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