Built to Serve: How Amrize Helps Protect America's Military and Veterans
The USS Gerald R. Ford is the world's largest aircraft carrier and one of several military projects demonstrating how Amrize solutions help protect the people and places that serve our country.
From the flight decks of America's aircraft carriers to a Coast Guard facility in California to a veteran's home in Texas, protecting those who serve takes many forms. This Veterans Day, four projects demonstrate how Amrize Building Envelope, along with Amrize’s expert contractor partners, help deliver the strength, durability, and reliability these places demand.
- Aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford, Surface Technologies Corporation in Atlantic Beach, Florida, applied an American Safety Technologies non-skid coating system to more than 50,000 square feet of flight deck, earning commendations from U.S. Naval Commanders for quality and execution.
- On the USS Theodore Roosevelt, Prime Time Coatings Inc. in San Diego, California, restored 63,299 square feet of flight deck using American Safety Technologies primers and non-skid coatings, completing the project in just 48 days.
- In Petaluma, California, Billmans Cool Roofing Co. installed 65,000 square feet of Duro-Last Duro-Tuff® roofing membrane and 6,000 square feet of curved metal panels as part of a major U.S. Coast Guard facility renovation.
- In Henderson, Texas, Malarkey Roofing Products donated Highlander® NEX® AR shingles to help U.S. Army veteran Chris Cormican and his family move closer to completing their dream home after a devastating construction setback.
America's military operates in some of the most demanding environments imaginable. Aircraft carriers must withstand relentless plane, drone, and helicopter traffic, extreme temperatures, and constant exposure to seawater. Military facilities require durable protection against the spectrum of elements. And for veterans returning home, a safe, secure place to build their futures can mean the world.
Behind these critical locations are the contractors, materials, and technical expertise that help keep them protected.
Here's how Amrize brands and contractor partners help deliver protection where it matters most.
How do you protect the USS Gerald R. Ford’s flight deck — the largest aircraft carrier in the world?
Commissioned in 2017, the USS Gerald R. Ford is the first new class of U.S. aircraft carrier in more than 40 years.
When the U.S. Navy needed to resurface more than 50,000 square feet of the USS Gerald R. Ford’s steel flight deck, Surface Technologies Corporation partnered with Gaco’s industrial portfolio brand American Safety Technologies to deliver a non-skid coating system built to withstand the demands of naval operations.
This was not just any flight deck. The first-of-its-kind USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is a marvel of modern naval engineering, featuring a redesigned flight deck built to move aircraft faster and more efficiently — along with next-generation nuclear reactors. But even as one of the Navy’s most advanced vessels and the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford still depends on the strength of the surface beneath its aircraft for its performance.
The challenge extended well beyond the materials. Not only were technicians navigating the complexities of working on an active military vessel with ongoing shipboard operations and live electrical systems, but surface temperatures aboard the vessel exceeded 120°F.
At the height of the project, more than 20 skilled technicians coordinated surface preparation, coating application, and inspections. Despite the demanding conditions, the team maintained a strong safety and environmental record throughout the installation.
American Safety Technologies' non-skid coatings provided the adhesion, strength, and durability required to withstand heavy aircraft traffic, extreme heat, and constant exposure to seawater. The specialized surface helps support the traction and reliability essential to safe flight operations.
The result? A mission-ready flight deck completed on time and to specification, earning commendations from U.S. Naval Commanders for quality and execution.
For a vessel designed to carry out some of the nation's most critical military missions, that level of performance is essential.
What does it take to restore the flight deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt—an active aircraft carrier?
The USS Theodore Roosevelt's call sign is "The Big Stick", named for President Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign policy motto.
Prime Time Coatings Inc. partnered with American Safety Technologies to restore 63,299 square feet of USS Theodore Roosevelt’s (CVN-71) flight deck, including its landing and arresting-wire box areas, where aircraft operations place extraordinary stress on the surface.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt is an active aircraft carrier requiring a durable, dependable flight deck ready for demanding naval operations — just like the USS Gerald R. Ford. But the approach required was different.
Before new coatings could be applied, crews needed to remove the existing non-skid system and prepare the underlying HY-100 steel deck. They used high-pressure hydroblasting equipment to eliminate the existing coating, then abrasive blasting equipment to achieve the required surface profile in the landing and wire box areas.
Crews next applied American Safety Technologies MS-8CZ primer and stripe coat, followed by MS-5000G and MS-5000L non-skid coatings.
Workers completed the new coating while operations were still taking place onboard.
The work took place among ongoing shipboard operations, restricted access areas, and other maintenance activities, including hot work. To prevent dust, debris, wastewater, and coating materials from entering the surroundings, the team used environmental containment measures.
Every stage demanded careful planning, coordination, and adherence to strict safety and environmental requirements.
Despite these challenges, Prime Time Coatings completed the entire 63,299-square-foot project in just 48 days.
The finished system provides a durable, non-skid surface designed to support aircraft movement, landing operations, and the demanding conditions of life at sea.
Together, the USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Gerald R. Ford projects demonstrate how specialized Amrize solutions like Gaco Coatings help protect mission-critical naval infrastructure.
How do you modernize a Coast Guard roof with three different curved metal systems?
Originally established in 1942 as the Army's Two Rock Ranch secret radio-monitoring and code-deciphering site during World War II, the Coast Guard took ownership on July 1, 1971.
Billmans Cool Roofing Co. installed 65,000 square feet of Duro-Tuff roofing membrane and 6,000 square feet of curved metal panels to help renovate the U.S. Coast Guard facility in Petaluma, California.
This major renovation required a roofing solution as complex as the building itself.
Decades of weathering had taken their toll, and the project called for a complete replacement of the existing roof with a combination of low-slope membrane roofing, custom curved standing seam metal panels, and elevated rooftop paver areas.
California roofing contractor Billmans took on the challenge, installing approximately 65,000 square feet of Duro-Last Duro-Tuff® 60 mil white PVC roofing membrane and 6,000 square feet of curved metal panels.
"This project had everything working against it — limited access, multiple contractors, weather delays, and three different metal radiuses," said Armando Saldana, co-owner of Billmans Cool Roofing. "We love challenges, and this one pushed us on every level."
The team began by removing the existing roofing system down to the concrete deck before installing a new assembly featuring Duro-Guard® ISO insulation, DensDeck® Prime Roof Board, and a fully adhered Duro-Tuff membrane. Custom-fabricated curbs, stacks, and corners helped provide consistent protection around roof penetrations.
The most technically demanding portion came with the curved standing seam metal panels. The building required three distinct radii, each fabricated to precise tolerances to prevent buckling during installation.
Longtime Duro-Last sales representative Joe Bristow worked alongside the contractor and manufacturing partners to develop a solution. The process involved months of testing, adjustments to fabrication equipment, and even a custom-built machine to verify membrane performance against Coast Guard specifications.
"The Duro-Tuff membrane outperformed both the competing product and even its own published data," Joe said.
Additional components from EXCEPTIONAL® Metals, part of the Amrize family of brands — including high-temperature underlayment, coping, edge metal and counter flashings — helped complete the assembly. Aspire pavers were installed across elevated walkways and balcony areas.
Despite limited access, challenging weather and coordination with multiple trades, the installation finished ahead of schedule and received a 20-year Duro-Last NDL warranty.
"This is a completely different building now," Armando said. "Everyone who works here loves how it looks and performs."
For Joe, the project marked the culmination of decades in the roofing industry before his retirement.
"It used everything I've learned from roofing to engineering to teaching," he said.
How did an Amrize roofing donation help an Army veteran rebuild his dream home?
The home features Midnight Black shingles, manufactured with Malarkey's NEX Rubberized Asphalt technology.
Malarkey Roofing Products donated Highlander NEX AR architectural shingles to help U.S. Army veteran Chris Cormican and his family move closer to completing their dream home.
Why? Because protecting those who serve doesn't end when military service does. Sometimes, it means helping a veteran and their family find stability and a place to call home.
In Henderson, Texas, Chris and his wife, Rosemary, were building a home in the countryside where they hoped to begin a new chapter.
After Chris sustained injuries while serving in Iraq, the couple envisioned a peaceful sanctuary for their family. But their dream took a devastating turn when their original contractor abandoned the project, leaving the home largely unfinished.
When their story reached the local community, contractors and suppliers came together to help.
Dean Mize, project manager for Redline Roofing, joined the effort alongside Malarkey Roofing Products, which donated Highlander® NEX® AR architectural shingles through ABC Supply's Tyler, Texas, branch.
The Midnight Black shingles, manufactured with Malarkey's NEX Rubberized Asphalt technology, provided a durable roofing solution designed to withstand challenging weather conditions. Featuring a Class 2 hail impact rating and algae-resistant granules, the shingles offer long-term protection suited to the Texas climate.
By June 2022, the home had a new Malarkey roof, bringing the Cormicans one major step closer to completing their dream.
"This house is already, it's much different than any other home because literally it is built with the hands of volunteers. There's something amazing about that," Rosemary told CBS19.
What began as a devastating setback became a story of community, generosity, and the building industry's willingness to step forward for a family that had already sacrificed so much.
For Malarkey and its contractor partners, the project was about more than installing shingles. It was an opportunity to help protect a veteran's family and the future they were working to build.
How does Amrize help protect America's military infrastructure and communities?
The USCG Training Center in Petaluma functions like a small self-contained town with its own medical clinic, fire department, gym, bowling alley, theater, housing units, and a microgrid energy system.
Amrize provides building solutions across commercial, residential, infrastructure, and repair and refurbishment markets, helping contractors address challenges that range from everyday weather protection to highly specialized military applications.
These four projects demonstrate that breadth.
On the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Theodore Roosevelt, American Safety Technologies coatings helped deliver durable, non-skid surfaces for demanding naval operations. At the Coast Guard facility in California, Duro-Last and EXCEPTIONAL Metals solutions supported a complex roofing renovation. And in Texas, Malarkey Roofing Products joined community partners to help a veteran's family rebuild their future.
The applications may be different, but the purpose is the same: protecting the people and places that depend on these structures every day.
This Veterans Day, we recognize the service and sacrifice of America's veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families. Amrize also recognizes the contractors, technical experts, and industry partners whose work helps support the facilities, infrastructure, and homes connected to their lives.
Whether at sea, on a military installation, or at home, lasting protection starts with the people who build it. That's how we build America.
Frequently asked questions about military coatings and roofing systems
What is a non-skid coating, and why is it used on aircraft carriers?
A non-skid coating is a specialized surface treatment designed to provide traction and durability in demanding environments. On aircraft carriers, these coatings help support safe aircraft movement and personnel operations while withstanding heavy traffic, extreme temperatures, and constant exposure to seawater.
What types of coatings are used on U.S. Navy aircraft carrier flight decks?
Aircraft carrier flight decks require specialized coating systems engineered for adhesion, durability, and slip resistance. On the USS Theodore Roosevelt, American Safety Technologies MS-8CZ primer and MS-5000G and MS-5000L non-skid coatings were used to restore the steel flight deck.
Why is surface preparation important before applying non-skid coatings?
Proper surface preparation removes existing coatings and contaminants while establishing the surface profile needed for adhesion. Methods such as hydroblasting and abrasive blasting help prepare steel surfaces for new coating systems, supporting long-term performance in demanding conditions.
What are the benefits of PVC roofing membranes on military facilities?
PVC roofing membranes provide durable waterproofing protection and resistance to weather exposure. Reflective white membranes can also help reduce solar heat absorption. At the Coast Guard facility in Petaluma, California, Duro-Tuff 60 mil white membrane was incorporated into a multi-system roof assembly designed to meet the building's performance requirements.
What is a 20-year NDL roofing warranty?
NDL stands for "no dollar limit." A 20-year NDL warranty generally provides coverage for eligible repairs to a warranted roofing system without a specified dollar cap, subject to the manufacturer's terms and exclusions. The U.S. Coast Guard facility project in Petaluma, California, received a 20-year Duro-Last NDL warranty.
How do rubberized asphalt shingles improve residential roof performance?
Rubberized asphalt shingles use modified asphalt technology to improve flexibility and weather resistance. Malarkey's Highlander NEX AR shingles, used on the Cormican family's home in Texas, combine NEX Rubberized Asphalt technology with algae-resistant granules and a Class 2 hail impact rating to provide durable residential roof protection.