Groundbreaking of the Fleet Readiness Center East marks first-of-its-kind partnership for the Department of the Navy

On June 25, Salas O’Brien team members joined leaders and representatives from the Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) and the North Carolina Global TransPark to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new aviation maintenance complex, which will house the FRC East’s military aircraft workload.

This groundbreaking event marks a significant achievement for the US Navy and the State of North Carolina. The innovative partnership between the state and FRCE, facilitated by Salas O’Brien, is the first of its kind within the Department of the Navy. The US Navy FRCE and the State of North Carolina’s Department of Transportation (NCDOT) have executed the United States Department of Defense’s largest public-private partnership through an Intergovernmental Support Agreement (IGSA). This agreement allows FRCE to perform essential maintenance, repair, and overhaul services on various airframes at a state-owned facility, enhancing military resilience and reducing costs.

Left to right and flanked on each side by Marine Corps C-130 pilots: Harry Kleiser, Managing Principal at Salas O’Brien; Lita Staskey, Deputy Director of Real Estate at NAVFAC Midlant; Nikki Hunt, Director of Real Estate at NAVFAC HQ; Brenda Johnson-Turner, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (DASN) – Installations, Energy and Facilities; Erica Plath, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy – Sustainment; Amanda Pack, Director of Real Estate Division NAVFAC Midlant; Patrick Giardina, Senior Vice President of Energy and Infrastructure at Salas O’Brien

The initiative will create 400 jobs in Kinston, North Carolina, significantly boosting local employment and economic growth. The State of North Carolina’s substantial contribution of $350 million underscores its unwavering support for the US Navy and the eastern North Carolina community.

The planned operations will encompass approximately 722,000 square feet of infrastructure, including:

Hangar areas: 418,000 square feet with 12 individual maintenance bays, parts storage, and work areas.
Clean/strip and paint facility: 86,000 square feet with three paint bays, accommodating C-130, P-8, and HH-60 aircraft.
Flight test hangar: 38,000 square feet for post-maintenance flight testing.
Fueling/defueling stations: 47,000 square feet for efficient aircraft fueling operations.
Back shops and administrative areas: 103,000 square feet for comprehensive MRO operations and administrative functions.
Warehouse and support facility: 30,000 square feet for parts storage and support functions, plus a 60,000 square foot outdoor laydown area.
Aircraft pavement: Six C-130-sized aircraft parking-staging areas.

Salas O’Brien’s experience in leading and transacting complex public-private relationships for the Department of Defense has been pivotal in bringing this project from concept to execution. The team was honored to work alongside the dedicated professionals of the US Navy and North Carolina Global TransPark to support mission resilience through community infrastructure. This groundbreaking event is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in strengthening our nation’s defense capabilities.

Read the official press release here.

Left to right: Joe Calcara, Executive Director, Real Estate & Acquisition Modernization at Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC); Stephen Barrow, FRCE Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Logistics Department Head; Capt. James M. Belmont, FRCE Commanding Officer; Rear Adm. Dean Vanderley, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Chief of Civil Engineers; Harry Kleiser, Managing Principal at Salas O’Brien; Patrick Giardina, Senior Vice President of Energy and Infrastructure at Salas O’Brien