News

Berger/Cummins Connects Postal Facility on Al Asad Airbase to Prime Power

Washington, DC – In March 2010, Berger/Cummins was contracted by the Base Command Group at Al Asad Airbase to design and construct the routing of underground power distribution to connect Al Asad's Postal Distribution Center and adjacent ramp flood lights to the base's electrical grid. Prior to connection, the facility was powered by two spot generators which required frequent servicing and maintenance. Connection to the nearby substation significantly increased the reliability of power to this mission-critical 24-hour facility, while completely eliminating the spot generation operations and maintenance cost.

Under this scope of work, Berger/Cummins designed the routing of approximately 1,000 feet of underground power distribution from the existing substation to the facility. Berger/Cummins also procured and installed a new 800 Amp manual transfer switch, a new 800 Amp main distribution panel, as well as a concrete pad and support structure sufficiently sized to house the new equipment. All work was successfully completed by May 2010.

Berger/Cummins has had a presence on Al Asad Air Base since 2008, when the team was contracted by USACE/Philadelphia District to build, install, and provide O&M for a 35 MW on-base power plant. Berger/Cummins was also contracted to maintain the base's pre-existing 11kV four-feeder underground distribution system, totaling approximately 190 kilometers, along with all associated substations and switching facilities.

Located 180 kilometers west of Baghdad, and just east of the Syrian border, Al Asad Airbase is the second largest US Military base in Iraq and the largest coalition base in Western Iraq.