b'EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CPR67engine air tanker base into a facility for both large and single- funding, and making sure that what were constructing meets their engine aircraft.requirements also, and you have a process that were not used to.Project engineers made the needed changes, and the Forest Service subsequently contributed about $2 million to supportMore Enhancements Pendingbuilding the new facility with broader support capabilities. ThatForging ahead, CPR is investigating what it would take to amount was combined with $4.28 million from the Bureau of Landaccommodate very large air tankers, such as DC-10s able to carry Management, which included reimbursements to CPR for costsas much as 9,400 gallons of retardant per flight. Naturally, that the airport incurred for design and construction and a low-interestwould considerably boost the bases capabilities, but the taxiway $600,000 loan to complete the project.and loading pit would need to be enhanced because such aircraft are heavier, with operating weights of 430,000 pounds each. Januska describes his role as administrativetaking care of development, negotiating the project scope, reviewing plans andRunway length has not been a limiting factor, since CPR has specifications, ensuring compliance with FAA regulations anda 10,165-foot primary runway and has supported very large air working with the airport board. Building the facility itself wastankers in the past. Each time, however, a portable retardant relatively easy, he reflects. The challenges occurred earlier, withfacility had to be brought in. Building the infrastructure to support the sudden pivot to expand the capabilities of the new base latethe very large air tankers is less costly over time and is more likely in the design process, and the needed loan to get all of the workfor those aircraft to position and use the CPR facilities as a base of awarded before the bid hold date expired.operations, says Januska. Routine construction or not, the project required precision toThe airport is also actively working with the Wyoming State satisfy the needs and specifications of both entities. We workedForestry Division on establishing a state helitack base at CPR. with the BLM [Bureau of Land Management] and our engineeringThat facility, replacing a makeshift facility in Glenrock, WY, would firm on the design scope. Then, you throw USFS in there with theirhouse helicopters with firefighting crews and would be located adjacent to CPRs tanker base. Januska reports that plans are Transforming Airport Experiences From Arrival to DepartureEXPLORE Delta Air Lines Terminal CSOLUTIONS LaGuardia AirportAirportImprovement.comMay | June 2025'