The Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved funding to begin construction of a new, state-of-the-art secure aircraft hangar at Naval Air Engineering Station, Lakehurst, to house aircraft flown in support of DOJ operations in the northeast.

Funding in the amount of $6.8 million has been authorized to build a 28,000-square-foot aircraft hangar in the eastern portion of the base.

The hangar will include about 7,000 square feet of administrative offices, 21,000 square feet of protected but unheated space to house small aircraft, site perimeter fencing, an access road, a storm water basin and utility line extensions.

Construction should begin in the next few months, said Capt. Mark Bathrick, commanding officer of Naval Air Engineering Station.

“This construction is necessary because Lakehurst hangar facilities currently occupied by the DOJ are slated for occupancy by the New Jersey Army National Guard’s newly consolidated helicopter unit, scheduled to move from Mercer County Airport to Lakehurst in 2005,” Bathrick said.

“Having a dedicated DOJ facility will both enhance their operations and ensure greater compatibility with the various Navy and tenant aviation missions supported at Lakehurst,” he continued. “A project such as this is just another example of the joint cooperation among the varied defense, federal, state and local agencies that is part of the day-to-day basis at Lakehurst of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of our mission accomplishment.”