MEDIA ADVISORY

NAVAIR PATUXENT RIVER, MD – Maryland Representative Steny Hoyer will lead a groundbreaking for the $84.5 million Presidential Helicopter Support Facility scheduled for 1 pm, Monday in the parking lot of building 173 here.

Congressman Hoyer and State Senator Roy Dyson will be the featured speakers, along with Vice Adm. Wally Massenburg, the commander of the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command, and Capt. Bo Henry, the station commander here.

Scheduled for completion in July 2006, the 202,000-square foot secure facility has the floor space to accommodate four football fields and will include a hanger, parking apron, taxiway access and an adjoining support building with a series of technical laboratories and an assembly area, tool room, a strip and painting aircraft facility and office/administrative spaces.

The Hensel Phelps Construction Company of Greeley, Colorado, has been selected to build the facility, which will also host 450 government and contractor employees.

The groundbreaking site is on Bronson Road and the event is open to anyone with regular base access.

Media wishing to attend should contact the Presidential Helicopters Program public affairs officer, John Milliman, at (301) 995-7410 or [email protected].

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