(Tribune News Service) — KC-135R Stratotankers and the airmen who fly, maintain and support them began returning home Monday as Grissom Air Reserve Base’s runway reopened following a nearly $60 million renovation project.

During the 150-day closure, refueling operations were conducted from nearby Fort Wayne International Airport, with airmen and equipment shuttling back and forth, according to a news report from Douglas Hays, chief public affairs officer with Grissom.

“Even though the folks at Fort Wayne were very accommodating, it’s so good to have our people and aircraft back home,” said Col. Summer Fields, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander.

Of Grissom’s 16 KC-135s, all but four relocated to Fort Wayne, Hays stated. Two jets were loaned to Tinker AFB, Okla.homa, and one to Niagara Falls, Air Reserve Station in New York. The fourth jet was a new addition to Grissom’s fleet, and remained on base for refurbishment.

While the runway has reopened, the project won’t be completed until next year, with some punch list items including replacing west end of taxiway G, the taxiway C throat at G, both to full depth, Hays said. This includes installing grass strips along G bordering the Miami County Economic Development Area ramp, and taxiway lighting.

“I’ve never seen a project this size get finished in such a short amount of time and still be this spot on. Very quality project and done on time,” said Steven Bailey, Grissom’s airfield manager.

In all, more than 7,000 cubic yards of concrete were poured during the renovation project.

“From core drilling, through programming and designing, to acquiring funds and getting a good contract, and weaving through all the complexities of construction, the entire team did good work on this huge project,” said David Hughes, base civil engineer.

Grissom’s original runway was constructed in 1942 and designed for light-weight Navy trainers. Over the years, the runway has been extended and expanded to handle heavier aircraft. The runway is 12,501 feet long and is the longest runway in the state. Grissom hosts the largest air refueling unit in the Air Force Reserve Command.

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