The three bunkers where Naval Air Station-Kingsville stores its high explosives are deteriorating. In fact, one has been condemned and stands empty, which is why the military facility is now building new ones. A $2.5 million contract was recently granted to Solid Structures Inc., a small business in Brownsville, to build three new underground magazines deemed crucial to the air station’s mission. 
"This project brings much-needed upgrades to our munitions storage capability," said Capt. Erik A. Spitzer, NAS-Kingsville commanding officer, in a news release. "These new facilities will allow us to safely and securely handle the munitions needed to meet Training Wing Two's training mission requirements."
Among other things, the bunkers store small munitions such as det cords, which are used by the jet fighter squadrons. Det cords are part of the ejection system for pilots. 
Weather and time have worked together over the past few decades to crack and crumble the concrete structures, which are covered by earth. Those bunkers will be demolished and replaced with pre-fabricated, above-ground storage bunkers.
“Replacement is paramount,” Parks said. 
The new structures will be capable of storing 100,000 pounds of net explosive weight. They will be constructed on reinforced concrete slab-on-grade. Construction will happen in phases, one magazine at a time, so two storage units are available at all times. 
The project will include security fencing, primary and secondary electrical distribution, an intrusion-detection system, lightning protection and explosion-proof electrical components. 
The contract was awarded by Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast. Work is expected to be completed by November 2018. 
NAS-Kingsville is one of the Navy's premier locations for jet aviation training. Its primary mission is to train tactical jet pilots for the Navy and Marine Corps. It is home to Training Squadron (VT) 21 and Training Squadron (VT) 22, which conduct advanced strike jet training for carrier jet aviators. Both squadrons employ the T-45C aircraft, a tandem-seat, carrier-borne jet specifically built for the training of Navy and Marine Corps aviators. There are currently 108 T-45C aircraft assigned to NAS-Kingsville.