PCS Case Study

Wisconsin Air National Guard – Two Decades of Mission-Critical Flooring Excellence

When the Wisconsin Air National Guard needed flooring solutions that could meet the exacting standards required to maintain an elite airwing, they turned to Protective Coating Specialists for expertise that goes far beyond standard commercial installations. For over 20 years, PCS has partnered with the Wisconsin ANG, delivering specialized flooring systems across multiple hangar facilities that exemplify the precision required to support critical military operations.

The relationship began with the Air National Guard selecting PCS based on their proven track record of past workmanship and high-quality installations. In the high-stakes environment of military aviation, where safety and precision are paramount, the ANG needed a flooring contractor who understood both the technical demands and security requirements of federal installations.

“Working with the Wisconsin Air National Guard has been one of our most demanding and rewarding partnerships,” said Peter Valitchka, Vice President of Sales. “The precision required to maintain an airwing translates into flooring specifications that push the boundaries of what’s possible—and that’s exactly the kind of challenge we embrace.”

Specialized Solutions for Pilot Alert Facilities

One of PCS’s most innovative installations involved the pilot alert room, where specialized flooring from SIKA’s Comfort Floor system was selected to provide ergonomic benefits critical for pilot readiness. The flooring delivers a soft underfoot surface designed to reduce fatigue during extended alert periods—a seemingly small detail that can have significant impact on pilot performance and safety.

“Every element of a military installation serves a purpose,” explained Valitchka. “When pilots are on alert status, they need every advantage possible. The specialized comfort flooring we installed helps reduce physical fatigue, which directly supports mission readiness.”

Engineering for Next-Generation Aircraft

When the airwing transitioned from F-16s to the advanced F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, PCS was selected to install a completely new specialized floor system in the 3-bay alert hangar. The project required extensive coordination with the Lieutenant Colonel and engineering team to develop a floor system that could handle the unique demands of fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

The specialized floor, manufactured by SIKA and approved by the Lieutenant Colonel, incorporated multiple advanced features: high moisture protection to withstand demanding environmental conditions, increased thickness to support the substantial weight of F-35 aircraft, and a high-performance urethane seal to protect against jet aviation fuel and other fluids that could compromise floor integrity.

Precision Installation and Safety Systems

Beyond the structural requirements, PCS installed specialized striping and decals throughout each hangar to precisely represent tie-down points and designated locations for each F-35. The installation required different surface treatments for different areas—some bays needed specific non-slip surfaces for safety, while others required high-gloss finishes for functional purposes, such as easily identifying leaks or detecting dropped parts.

“The functional gloss areas are critical for maintenance operations,” noted Valitchka. “When you’re working on multi-million-dollar aircraft, being able to quickly spot a leak or locate a small part can be mission-critical. These aren’t just aesthetic choices—they’re operational requirements.”

Security Clearance and Government Compliance

Working on federal military installations requires capabilities that extend far beyond technical flooring expertise. Due to the high-security nature of the Air National Guard base, all PCS installers underwent comprehensive background checks and received authorization to work on the federal installation. The company’s ability to meet these stringent security requirements while maintaining project schedules demonstrates their understanding of government operations.

PCS has expanded this expertise across multiple military installations throughout Wisconsin, including Fort McCoy, Volk Field, and numerous National Guard units. The company’s workforce includes several veterans and active National Guard employees, providing insider understanding of military operations and requirements.

Government Contracting Excellence

Despite winning the contract through competitive low-bid government procurement processes, PCS delivered installations that exceeded expectations. Working around an active airwing presented unique scheduling challenges—aircraft operations couldn’t be interrupted, requiring precise coordination to ensure hangar space availability while meeting aggressive government deadlines.

“Government work requires a different level of precision and accountability,” said Valitchka. “You’re not just delivering a floor—you’re supporting national security operations. Due to the active airwing, we had to work closely with military personnel to ensure space availability while meeting tight deadlines that couldn’t be compromised.”

Military Leadership Endorsement

The quality of PCS’s work earned recognition from military leadership, with the Lieutenant Colonel and head of engineering providing a clear endorsement: “I would select PCS over other contractors due to their detailed preparation, installation and overall workmanship.”

This endorsement reflects not just technical capability, but PCS’s understanding of military standards and their ability to deliver results that meet the exacting requirements of defense operations.

Sector Expertise and Veteran Leadership

PCS’s success in military contracting stems from more than technical expertise—it reflects deep understanding of government and military sector flooring needs and operational requirements. With several veterans and active National Guard employees on staff, the company brings insider knowledge of how military facilities operate and what contractors need to succeed in that environment.

“We understand the government and military sectors’ flooring needs and how they operate,” said Valitchka. “Having veterans and active National Guard members on our team gives us insights that other contractors simply don’t have. We know what it takes to work in these environments and deliver results that support the mission.”

The Wisconsin Air National Guard partnership demonstrates PCS’s ability to deliver specialized flooring solutions in the most demanding environments, where precision, security clearance, and mission-critical reliability are non-negotiable requirements. Their track record across multiple military installations positions them as the premier choice for defense contractors and military facilities throughout the region.

Wisconsin national guard. Past 20 years partnered with WANG installing high quality floors throughout xx k sf hangar facility. Ang selected pcs based on past workmanship and high quality installations. Work exemplifies precision required to maintain the airwing. worked on pilot alert. specialized flooring from sika comfort floor, alert room, flooring provided ergonomic and soft underfoot to reduce fatigue. when airwing changed from f16s to f35s, pcs selected to install specialized floor system in 3-bay alert hangar. LT Col approved specialized designed floor, manufactured by sika. flooring incorporated high moisture protection, thickness to maintain heavy weight of aircraft, sealed with high performance urethane to protect from jet aviation and other fluids. specialized striping and decals were installed throughout each hanger to represent tie-downs and location for each f35. some bays required specific nonslip and others high gloss for locating leaks or parts. functional gloss. The Lieutenant Colonel and  head of engineering, commented “i would select pcs over other contractors due to their detailed preparation, installation and overall workmanship…”

Government work, low bid. due to active air wing had to work with air wing to ensure space was available and meet tight deadlines. due to high security, all installers had background checks and were authorized to work on a federal base. PCS has worked at multiple military installations throughout WI, Fort McCoy, Volk Field and multiple national guard units. PCS also has several veterans and active national guard employees, and understands of government and military sectors flooring needs, and how they operate.