Construction Contracts
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Workers place concrete at one of the four CH-47 helicopter refueling pads. A mechanical screen
saved time, allowing the placement of 2,400 cubic meters of concrete in two weeks.
By mid-December, with support from the 416th Engineer Command,
MEAPO(SWA0 had designed 10 of the 13 projected helipads throughout the
theater for the Army and had passed those designs to the Saudis for funding and
construction. The projects were either under construction or out for bid. When
completed, the 13 helipads could accommodate about 1,900 helicopters. The
Army tried to balance troop and contractor efforts and use designs that were
both safe and effective.40
On 24 November, MEAPO(SWA) signed a contract with Al Shuwayer to
construct a helicopter apron at King Fahd International Airport. In mid-
December, it signed a million contract with Harabi Company to expand a
helicopter apron at Riyadh air base and with Al Khereijy to construct two
refueling pads at Dhahran. In January, MEAPO(SWA) contracted with Al Turuq
Trading Company for a 250-aircraft heliport at Inland Pumping Station #3 and
with Gaid Contracting for helicopter ramps at Ras Al Mishab. The next month
it signed a contract to expand an apron at Al Qaysumah.
Perhaps the most challenging helipad and apron construction occurred at
King Khalid Military City. With the arrival of VII Corps and the movement of
troops westward, the need for helipads and heliports at King Khalid Military
City became particularly critical. This installation became "the center of gravity"
for many multinational combat and logistics units.
planned to construct
the largest logistics base there since Long Binh during the Vietnam War.41
In late November, MEAPO(SWA) identified construction requirements at
King Khalid Military City. While at a staff meeting in Dhahran on 26
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