What goes up, comes down

Workers from Phoenix Rigging and Erecting, Atlanta, dismantle the 81st Medical Group Hospital Inpatient Tower construction crane March 22. The almost 150-foot tall structure had loomed over the site since February 2010. With work proceeding on the tower’s interior, the crane has served its purpose. To get construction materials to the tower’s four floors, “We will use the internal elevators starting in a couple of weeks,” said Yates Construction site supervisor John Horton. “In the meantime, we’ll use the stairs.” The disassembly began with removal of the eight counterweights at the end of the boom. Then the workers took the boom apart section-by-section, with the operator’s capsule saved for last, before they dismantled the vertical portion. Mr. Horton said the specially-made concrete base, which is below ground level, will simply be covered over. (U.S. Air Force photo by Steve Pivnick)