W.T. Sampson School

This project was the most logistically challenging project we had experienced up to that point.

First, we followed months of submitting and revising with the EOR, to obtain final approval to start fabrication. Once all the materials were completed, we scheduled an onsite meeting at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base (GTMO), which required Department of Defense (DoD) clearance.

The flight to Guantanamo Bay was memorable for its fast takeoffs, landings, and lack of traditional seats as the C-130 Hercules Military Transport Aircraft took us to our destination. During the four-day stay on base, we attended several meetings and walkthroughs on the jobsite.

Upon return, we arranged deliveries based on the building’s construction. Materials were shipped to Jaxport, the military cargo yard in Jacksonville, FL, and loaded onto a barge towed by a tugboat. The remote location required foresight, planning, and mental strength since most of the crew left their families back home. A missing component could make all the difference in keeping the project on schedule or could cause a delay on the job by 4-5 weeks.