5 seasons of Warren Published June 18, 2009 By Elizabeth McClain 90th Civil Engineer Squadron F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- There are five seasons in Wyoming: Winter runs from October through March; Spring runs from April through June; Summer, or as those born and raised in Cheyenne call it, Frontier Days, runs for the last two full weeks in July; and Fall runs from August through October. But many people forget the fifth, and main, Wyoming season which runs from the end of winter until ... the next winter. This is the construction season. For the 90th Civil Engineer Squadron, any warm weather brings opportunities for updating and repairing projects around the base. Some projects are programmed or on line to have work begin as soon as the weather turns fair, and others are waiting for funding in another year. Although our construction period may not seem like one of the main seasons, for the 90th CES, it is definitely a distinct part of the year. The 90th CES staff arranges leave and work schedules around the construction season, much the way others around base work their schedules around Spring and Summer vacations. For those others, this may be a time of frustration and numerous inconveniences, but in CE, it is like seeing into the future. The planners and architects laying out the plans in their unique way can see a project completed before it has even begun. And though we may only see orange cones and detour signs, they see the completed project that will bring pride, ownership and an improved quality of life. The most visible project going on currently is the work being done on Gates 1 and 2. These gate upgrades are expected to last until September and will result in newly constructed entries onto the base. Phase I of the Gate 1 project began in April and is being completed while the Wyoming Department of Transportation undertakes the reconstruction of the I-25, Randall Avenue interchange. In addition to adding a gate canopy, the construction will improve the layout of the entry control facility, visitor control center and gate house. Included in this construction is a heating and cooling system for our security forces gate guards, a fire protection system, communications, lighting and landscaping. Gate 2 will receive major roadway repair, alteration of the existing gate house, ID check stations, a canopy over the inbound lanes, a third lane for oversized traffic, a closure gate at the base boundary and a reconfiguration of the base commercial entry control point to include construction of an over-watch pad. It may not be too late in the season to start your facilities project, and getting the Air Force Form 332 Base Civil Engineer Work Request to customer service to start the process. If a facility needs to be modified to better meet mission needs, get the Form 332 submitted for evaluation and prioritization. People should not forget that Wyoming weather is not always fair. Weather does hamper the progress of some outdoor projects. Keep an open mind and be patient, and always think safety first.