The US Army has begun construction for the Rygge Air Station in Norway as part of the Pentagon’s European Deterrence Initiative (EDI).
EDI is a framework to boost American rotational force deployments, infrastructure investments, advanced tactical capability integrations, and associated training across Europe.
Rygge Air Station’s work consists of five segments to boost readiness and cooperation between the US military and its Norwegian counterparts, NATO allies, and other partners should the need for response arise.
The overall cost of the base upgrades will amount to over $200 million and will be sourced from the US European Command’s EDI program funds and the US Air Force’s military construction funds.
The army’s Corps of Engineers (USACE) will facilitate the five EDI projects planned for the installation.
“Since 1949, Norway’s been a close ally of the United States – both bilaterally and through NATO – and we’re very grateful for that partnership and look forward to building on it – quite literally,” USACE Europe District Deputy District Engineer and Programs and Project Management Chief Justin Wetherwax stated.
“In today’s security environment, we’re looking forward to building these projects at Rygge Air Station and continuing to reinforce regional security together.”
Key Projects at Rygge
The US Army wrote that the Initial EDI work in Rygge incorporates security improvements and perimeter fencing, while future developments will focus on munitions storage expansion, a quick reaction alert facility, a bed down building, and a deployable air base system facility, equipment, and vehicle storage (DABS-FEV) site.
The reaction alert center will involve the design and construction of aircraft hangars and associated fighter jet maintenance infrastructure.
For the bed down project, USACE will establish a shelter, dining facility, and other related spaces for hundreds of airmen stationed at Rygge.
Meanwhile, the DABS-FEV will be based on a US Air Force concept which enhances collection of shelters, construction equipment, vehicles, and other assets to be pre-positioned and transported to other staging sites.
It will also construct a multi-bay vehicle maintenance shop, testing facility, regulating station, above-ground fuel storage tanks, and parking.
“EDI projects like the ones being built in Norway are key to deterring aggression against NATO and ensuring readiness of US, host nation and NATO Allies to fight and win if needed,” EDI Program Manager Paul Audije explained.
“We’re excited to be working with our US Air Force, Norwegian Ministry of Defence, Norwegian Defence Estates Agency and US Embassy partners to move these projects from the drawing board to reality in the coming years.”