OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The air traffic control tower received much needed upgraded windows before the reopening of Offutt’s runway Sept. 30.
The tower was built in 2008. The tower is an 11-story, 8,242-square foot facility filled with training and administrative offices, a briefing area, electronic equipment and radar final control.
The renovation of the of the air traffic control tower started in September 2021. It will cost approximately $1.6+ million to finish. The windows will improve air traffic controller visibility and keep the electronic equipment inside the tower safe from inclement weather.
“The previous windows leaked very badly,” said Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Sluss, 55th Operations Support Squadron tower chief controller. “The 55th Civil Engineer Squadron did a good job with providing a temporary solution, but new windows are the permanent and long-term solution.”
The tower has more than just new windows. Contractors updated the metal panels on the outside and sprayed new fire proofing intumescent materials inside the cab.
“It has been a long process filled with delays,” Sluss said. “We are very excited for the wing to return and for us to be able to operate out of the tower cab.”