90th CES to use new Snow Control Plan

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 90th Civil Engineer Squadron
F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  F. E. Warren Air Force base gets the most snow on average of all missile bases in Air Force Global Strike Command according to Captain Eric Miller, 90th Operations Support Squadron weather. That being said, it is no wonder the 90th Civil Engineer Squadron briefs the snow removal plan to the 90th Missile Wing commander every year.

Due to changes to privatized housing, cuts in civilian over-hire positions and $1 million being cut from the grounds maintenance contract, the 90th CES's pavements and equipment section needed to come up with a new plan to clear the streets safely and efficiently and keep the mission rolling, while still providing sander support to the missile field.

The following is the plan briefed to Col. Christopher Coffelt, 90th MW commander, and his cadre that approved by the Snow and Ice Control Committee. The plan consists of three priority levels for base snow removal as directed by Air Force Instruction 32-1002, Snow and Ice Control. Some changes of note are a cut in the number of roads and walkways cleared as priority-one routes. Priority-one routes are the main thoroughfares, missile movement routes and emergency response routes. Priority-two routes for Warren are access roads to secondary mission facilities, primary base streets, and high visitor areas. Priority-three routes are all other areas including family housing. The 90th MW commander and Snow and Ice Committee determine what level of obligation is required for these areas and each is generally individually considered as needed.

Another change is that facility managers will be expected to do more. Sidewalks and steps will need to be cleared to 100 feet from the facility versus the 75 feet that was the previous requirement in the facility manager handbook. Balfour Beatty Communities covers the main sidewalks and snow routes in housing, and uses a similar priority route system.

The wing commander and snow committee approved the bus routes as priority-one; therefore they will be cleared first, followed by the rest of housing. The plan allows for Balfour Beatty to plow in the housing areas at night with the use of smaller equipment. The snow plows in housing areas will be out when at least two inches of snow is on the ground. Another benefit of Balfour Beatty's presence on base is that Balfour Beatty will shovel the walkways of homes of deployed spouses on overseas contingency operations, once housing occupants or first Sergeants have contacted Balfour Beatty at the housing maintenance office at 307-637-6102 or stopped by the housing office with a copy of the deployment orders. The grounds maintenance contractor will only clear the main sidewalks in front of and behind the dorms and the child development and youth center.

On some of the north/south running streets on base, such as Rogers and Old Glory, the snow removal equipment may be plowing snow in the opposite direction of traffic flow. During this type of clearing operation, it is very likely that only emergency or mission essential personnel will be on the roads on base. This method of snow removal will only be used in the heaviest of snow storms to prevent wind rows of snow from causing drifting conditions as well as reducing the amount of times the team will need to clear an area. The FMs in the missile field at Missile Alert Facilities are responsible for snow removal on Air Force owned property only. Going off the compound could cost the Air Force a lot of money in road repairs and possible vehicle accidents liabilities after a snow event.

According to Rock Hussey, 90 CES Missile Engineering Interim Flight Chief, heavy snow and blizzard events will cause counties to delay snow removal operations until snow removal can be done safely and effectively.

On Defense Access Roads, the 90th CES can make arrangements for emergency snow removal, if, within 72 hours after termination of storm conditions, there is no indication that roads will be opened within a five-day timeframe.

In addition, the 90th CES can request ESR at any time to ensure snow removal is accomplished within 24 hours after termination of snowfall for priority-one or -two maintenance actions that developed during the snowstorm.

The priority for snow removal is life support, then mission support. Life support refers to keeping the roads passable for emergency equipment and people. Mission support refers to keeping the roads clear for agencies such as the 37th Helicopter Squadron and missile operations. If you have any questions regarding the approved 90th MW Snow and Ice Control plan, please contact 90th CES Snow Control at 307-773-2049.