By John Milliman, Presidential Helicopters Program PAO

NAVAIR Patuxent River, MD – Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer, with NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm Wally Massenburg, led other dignitaries, NAVAIR leaders and local officials in breaking ground Monday for the new $84.5 million Presidential Helicopter Support Facility here.

"Our principal challenge in aviation today is no longer how to make aircraft fly,” Hoyer said, “but how to integrate complex systems into a single envelope and make it all work together as a system. Our job is to be sure we continue the kind of investments in facilities and equipment to allow you to continue to be the best in the world at what you do.”

Built by the Hensel Phelps Construction Company of Greeley, Colorado, and scheduled to be completed in July 2006, the secure 202,000 square foot facility will include a hangar, 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 for 450 employees.

Maryland State Senator Roy Dyson, Delegate John Bohanan, several members of the St. Mary’s County Commissioners, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment Wayne Arny, Tom Laux, the program executive officer for Air ASW, Assault and Special Mission Programs, station commander Capt. Bo Henry and the Presidential Helicopters program manager, Col. Frank Mazur, joined Hoyer for the event.
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CUTLINE

Diggin’ In – Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer, with NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm Wally Massenburg and other dignitaries break ground Monday for the new $84.5 million Presidential Helicopter Support Facility here. Scheduled to be completed in July 2006, the secure 202,000 square foot facility will include a hangar, 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. From left: Col. Frank Mazur, Presidential Helicopters Program manager; Tom Laux, the program executive officer for Air ASW, Assault and Special Mission Programs; NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm. Wally Massenburg; Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer; Capt. Bo Henry, NAS Patuxent River commanding officer; Maryland State Senator Roy Dyson; Wayne Arny, assistant secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment; Maryland Delegate John Bohanan; Capt. Tom Cunningham, Naval Facilities Command; Robert Daniel, senior vice president of the Hensel Phelps Construction Company. Photo by Jim Jenkins.