New York Guardsmen, Greenland Airports Partner to Improve Lodging Facility

The New York Air National Guard, New York Army National Guard and Greenland Airports are working together to improve living conditions for airmen by repairing a long-standing roof issue at a lodging facility in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland.

The project adds a new pitched roof over the building's existing flat roof to stop water from leaking into the facility. There have been two rotations of 46 soldiers so far, and construction is expected to be completed in August, following three rotations of soldiers assigned to the New York Army National Guard's 1156th Engineer Company.

The soldiers are vertical engineers who specialize in building construction, maintenance and upgrades.

"We've known for years that there's problems with the roof," said Air Force Col. Eric Underhill, deputy commander of the 109th Airlift Wing.

The 109th Airlift Wing conducts mission-essential training and provides remote resupply support across the Greenland ice sheet each year, beginning in April and running through August.

Underhill began working with Greenland Airports two years ago to discuss facility improvements as part of a new operating agreement.

Greenland Airports, which owns the building, initially sought a contractor to complete the work. After no contractors accepted the project, Underhill proposed a partnership that would allow New York Army National Guard engineers to complete the construction during annual training.

Under the agreement, Greenland Airports designed the roof and purchased the construction materials, while the New York Army National Guard provided the labor.

"This would not have happened if we didn't trust each other and we didn't have a good working relationship," Underhill said.

Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Reid Duncan, an engineering technician assigned to the 1156th, worked with Underhill during multiple site visits to evaluate the project before construction began.

The project builds on work completed by New York Army National Guard engineers during annual training last year. Underhill said the project demonstrated that the soldiers could successfully complete construction projects in Greenland's remote environment.

Construction in Greenland requires months of planning, and the remote location creates additional challenges throughout construction. Underhill said logistics and sustainment make building in the region difficult.

"If something breaks, or you are short on material, it is a long turnaround to get a replacement," Duncan said.

Rather than removing the existing roof, the soldiers are building a new pitched roof over the original flat roof. The new design will direct water away from the building instead of through the interior drainage system that contributed to years of leaks.

"Jobs like this really show them what real construction is like," Duncan said. "We're not just building a 10-by-10 shed; this is a big job."

Underhill said the completed roof represents more than a construction project. The project gives soldiers valuable experience completing a large-scale construction project while improving living conditions for airmen supporting the 109th Airlift Wing's Arctic missions.