Originally constructed in 1977–78, the Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) at Pease has served both civilian and military aviation for nearly five decades. Since the closure of Pease Air Force Base in the early 1990s, the tower has been owned and maintained by the Pease Development Authority (PDA), while the New Hampshire Air National Guard (NHANG) has continued providing around-the-clock air traffic control services. Following a major renovation in 2002, the facility once again reached the point where aging systems, outdated infrastructure, and deteriorating conditions required significant investment.
After evaluating the cost of building a new tower, estimated at approximately $25 million, the Pease Development Authority chose to renovate the existing structure for about $5 million. The comprehensive project will modernize the tower from top to bottom, including new insulation, redundant heating and cooling systems, upgraded electrical and fire protection systems, a new backup generator, renovated workspaces and support areas, and a complete overhaul of the air traffic control cab with new windows, roof, and controller workstations designed in collaboration with tower personnel.
One of the project’s greatest challenges is completing the renovation of the tower cab, which requires air traffic control operations to be temporarily suspended for about two months. Through close coordination between the Pease Development Authority, the New Hampshire Air National Guard, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), construction is being completed while keeping the airport safely open for private, commercial, and military operations.
The “cab” of the tower would be completely overhauled for the air traffic controllers. This included all the above, plus a new roof, rehabilitated catwalk, and new windows for the 360-degree view required by the air traffic controllers. A completely new workspace, counters, cabinets, and stations with task specific lighting were carefully designed and laid out with help and direction from the air traffic controllers.
