Background: 

The Mount Pleasant Complex, located in the Falkland Islands, serves as an important strategic military base for the Ministry of Defence (MoD). With the aim of maintaining the operational readiness of the complex, it was imperative to upgrade the existing runway and taxiway infrastructure. Mitie MoD, a renowned organisation with expertise in defence infrastructure projects, was entrusted with the responsibility of executing the upgrade program.

The projects key objectives were: 

To enhance safety:

To ensure this happened our team improved the visibility of the runway markings by repainting them with reflective paint and replacing airfield signage for better navigation. 

Extend the runways lifespan: 

We applied a protective layer of bitumen on the runway asphalt to extend its life until a complete re-laying could be undertaken in the future. 

Complete within budget and schedule:

To ensure the project was delivered within the allocated £7 million budget and finish within the agreed timeline.

Executing the Project 

The work was carefully planned to ensure there was no impact on airfield operations and flights were able continue as scheduled throughout.

Project Execution: Runway and taxiway upgrade project was executed through the following activities: 

• Runway markings: The existing runway markings were repainted using reflective paint to improve visibility, especially during low-light conditions or adverse weather. 
• Airfield signage replacement: Outdated airfield signage was replaced with modern, standardised signage, enhancing clarity and reducing the risk of confusion for pilots and ground personnel. 
• Lighting installation: Additional lights were strategically installed along the runway and taxiway, improving visibility during nighttime operations and increasing overall safety. 
• Protective bitumen coating: A layer of bitumen was applied to the runway asphalt to protect it from environmental factors, extending its lifespan until a complete re-laying could be undertaken in the future.

The Project Outcomes: 

The successful delivery of the project yielded the following outcomes: 

• Early completion: The project was completed two weeks ahead of schedule, allowing the Mount Pleasant Complex to resume full operational capabilities earlier than anticipated. 
• Budget adherence: The project was executed within the allocated budget of £7 million, showcasing effective cost management and resource allocation by Mitie MoD. 
• Enhanced safety and visibility: The upgraded runway markings, airfield signage, and lighting significantly improved safety standards, reducing the risk of accidents and incidents. 
• Extended runway lifespan: The application of the protective bitumen coating increased the durability of the runway, ensuring its continued usability until a full re-laying project could be undertaken.

Feedback:

Commodore Jonathan Lett, Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) said:

“It was great to get out onto the runway at Mount Pleasant Complex and see the work which the specialist contractor Gatwick Construction had done on the runway surface, providing new markings and specialist lighting which both preserve the surface for operations and improve our safety in the air environment”.

“The Falklands are a long way from Crawley in West Sussex where the team are usually based, and it was great to see how well-integrated they had become with BFSAI’s One Team mixing with everyone from Typhoon Pilots from 1435 Flight to other defence contractors who support BFSAI’s deter and reassure mission on a daily basis”.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/falkland-islands-runway-refurbishment-completed