Designed to help train troops to counter ever-evolving global threats, the $90-million Asymmetric Warfare Group Training Complex features 23 different structures that can be used to test the ability of military personnel to find quick solutions under battle conditions.

Located on 300 acres at Fort AP Hill, Va., the complex includes a simulated five-story embassy, bank, school, underground subway and train station with real transit cars, helicopter landing zone, three-span bridge and other structures that can be transformed into a variety of scenario-driven facilities.

Given the range of structures under construction, several superintendents were assigned to the project—each supervising a specific group of buildings actively under construction.

Weekly coordination meetings with onsite staff were held to review safety issues, project coordination and schedule—allowing the team to construct multiple buildings simultaneously. The team had to carefully manage subcontractor resourcing and review the schedule on a daily basis to ensure the project's on-time delivery.

A nine-structure training and support center features a headquarters, barracks, administrative office and classroom center. Other structures built during the project include a three-structure maintenance-fabrication support center, two secured compartmentalized information facility spaces, a 12-mile mobility range, an 800-meter known distance range, a light demolitions range and an indoor range.

There are two distinctly different and separate areas of the project. The cantonment site contains the administrative building, classrooms and housing facilities constructed in a campus environment with walking paths and landscaping. The second area is the "battle lab" that includes the urban environment and primitive village.

The two areas are connected with main thoroughfare roads, connector roads and a series of parking lots.

Numerous subcontractors were spread out across the expansive site, making safety management a challenge. Crews performed 528,527 work-hours with no OSHA recordable incidents and no lost-time accidents.

All structures were constructed within a 22-month time frame.

Government/Public Buildings: Winner - Asymmetric Warfare Group Training Complex, Fort AP Hill, Va.

Key Players

Owner U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District

Lead Design Firm Mason and Hangar

General Contractor W.M. Jordan Co.

Electrical M&E Contractors

Masonry Masonomics

Plumbing and HVAC Warwick Plumbing & Heating Corp.

Fire Protection Wes Worsham Fire Protection

Painting Southern Contracting Co.