NEXION System Installation at Eareckson Air Station, Alaska

In support of Northrop Grumman (NG) Mission Systems (NGMS), Brice installed a new Next Generation Ionosonde (NEXION) system at Eareckson Air Station (EAS), in Shemya, Alaska. The NEXION system monitors the ionosphere and its effect on radar communication systems. We installed the system consisting of a 101’ transmit antenna tower, an array of four receive antennas, a Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna, a NEXION shelter building, Environmental Control Unit in shelter, an Alternating Current source, Cable, and grounding/bonding hardware. To do this, we first surveyed and set the locations for the concrete foundations for the guy wires per the specifications provided.

We used a mini-excavator and a utility locate spotter who performed measurements and used a GPS to ensure the precision required (within inches) would meet the specifications for elevation and distance between the transmit antennae. We poured seven concrete forms for the transmit antennae, and five concrete forms for the receive antennae.

Brice completed the installation and commissioning of the NEXION system project in a record 41 day, despite the difficult the working conditions including high winds and rain. We coordinated actively with the Air Force to ensure the successfully commissioning of the NEXION system, a milestone never before achieved by others. Brice obtained all construction permits needed to perform the work in compliance with local codes and requirements.