Roberta Aguirre
Okmulgee Regional Airport, previously known as Okmulgee Municipal Airport, is located in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, and is owned by the city of Okmulgee, which is three miles south of the airport. The airport was opened as Okmulgee Field in 1942 as a United States Army Air Forces airfield and was designated as necessary for national defence. The construction of the airport was supervised by the Civil Aeronautics Administration, and it was turned over to the city of Okmulgee on September 7, 1943.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Okmulgee Regional Airport |
| Location | Okmulgee County, Oklahoma |
| Year of Construction | 1942 |
| Year of Completion | 1943 |
| Year of Inactivation | 1944 |
| Year of Transfer to Civil Administration | 1945 |
| Year of Scheduled Flights by Central Airlines | 1950-1953 |
| Year of Management Transfer to TAIT | 2015 |
| Year of Five-Year Improvement Plan | 2016 |
| Year of Proposed Triennial DBE Goal | 2019-2021 |
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What You'll Learn
Construction began in 1942
Construction of the Okmulgee Regional Airport in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, began in 1942. The airport was opened as Okmulgee Field, a United States Army Air Forces airfield with three 6,000-foot hard surface runways. The Okmulgee Airport project was designated as necessary for national defence and was to be operated for the public except when the military required exclusive rights for defence. The construction was under the direct supervision of the Civil Aeronautics Administration.
The airport was equipped with three runways: 00/18, 04/27, and 15/33, each measuring 6,000 feet. In addition, there were four local auxiliary airfields for emergency and overflow landings. The primary trainer aircraft used at the airfield was the Fairchild PT-19, with several PT-17 Stearmans also in operation. The airfield also provided contract glider training using C-47 Skytrains and Waco CG-4 unpowered gliders.
The project was completed and handed over to the City of Okmulgee on September 7, 1943. Prior to the construction of the airport, the City's only airport facility was a turf landing strip three miles east of the town on Highway 62. This landing strip was used to train combat glider pilots and other airborne assault personnel who later participated in World War II's Airborne Operations.
The airport has undergone several changes in management and improvements over the years. In 1999, the airport's name was changed to Okmulgee Regional Airport to reflect its classification by the Oklahoma Aeronautical Commission. In 2015, the Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust (TAIT) and the Okmulgee City Council approved a contract to bring the operation and management of the airport under TAIT, intending to relieve pressure on the nearby Jones-Riverside Airport. In 2016, TAIT drafted a Five-Year Plan for the airport, which was approved by the Okmulgee City Council.
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It was a US Army Air Forces airfield
Okmulgee Regional Airport was opened as Okmulgee Field in 1942 as a United States Army Air Forces airfield. It featured three 6,000-foot hard surface runways and began training United States Army Air Corps cadets under contract to Sooner Air Training Corp. The airfield was assigned to the Gulf Coast Training Center, later known as the Central Flying Training Command, as a primary (level 1) pilot training airfield. In addition to the main airfield, there were four local auxiliary airfields for emergency and overflow landings. Flying training used Fairchild PT-19s as the primary trainer, with several PT-17 Stearmans also in use. The airfield also provided contract glider training using C-47 Skytrains and Waco CG-4 unpowered gliders.
The construction of the Okmulgee Airport was designated as necessary for national defence and was completed under the direct supervision of the Civil Aeronautics Administration. Prior to the airport's completion in 1943, the City of Okmulgee's only airport facility was a turf landing strip 3 miles east of the town on Highway 62. This site was used to train combat glider pilots and other airborne assault personnel who later participated in the Airborne Operations of World War II.
The Okmulgee airfield was inactivated on June 30, 1944, coinciding with the drawdown of the AAFTC's pilot training program. It was declared surplus and transferred to the Army Corps of Engineers on September 30, 1945, before eventually being discharged to the War Assets Administration (WAA) and transitioning to a civil airport. Central Airlines scheduled flights to Okmulgee from 1950 to 1953, with the airport serving as a stop between Tulsa and Holdenville, Oklahoma, during this period.
Today, the airport covers 1,100 acres of land and is situated 3 miles north of the city of Okmulgee, which owns it. It is classified as a general aviation airport and continues to serve the region, averaging 34 operations per day in the 12-month period ending July 29, 2019. The airport's sole remaining runway, 18/36, measures 5,150 by 100 feet and is made of concrete.
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It was used for training combat pilots during World War II
Okmulgee Regional Airport, located in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, was constructed during World War II and was used extensively for training combat pilots. The airport was opened as Okmulgee Field in 1942 as a United States Army Air Forces airfield with three 6,000-foot hard surface runways. The construction of the airport was supervised by the Civil Aeronautics Administration, and it was designated as a necessary project for national defence.
The airfield was used to train United States Army Air Corps cadets under contract to Sooner Air Training Corp, and it was assigned as a primary (level 1) pilot training base. Hangar Six, Inc. was responsible for conducting this pilot training, which included the use of Fairchild PT-19s and PT-17 Stearmans. In addition, the airfield provided contract glider training using C-47 Skytrains and Waco CG-4 unpowered gliders. The airport was also utilised for training combat glider pilots and other airborne assault personnel who later participated in the bloody Airborne Operations of World War II.
The Okmulgee Airport played a crucial role in preparing combat pilots and glider troops for the challenges they would face during the war. The facilities and training programmes at the airfield ensured that these individuals acquired the necessary skills and expertise to engage in combat effectively. The airport's designation as a necessary project for national defence underscores its significance during this period.
The impact of the Okmulgee Airport on World War II extended beyond its role as a training ground. Its very construction reflected the urgent need to bolster defences and enhance military readiness. The airport was strategically designed and equipped to accommodate the intensive training required by combat pilots and glider troops. This included the establishment of multiple runways and the provision of specialised aircraft for different training purposes.
The airport's history during World War II is a testament to the collaborative efforts and strategic decisions made to address the challenges posed by the war. The training of combat pilots and the preparation for airborne operations were integral components of the United States' military strategy during this conflict. The Okmulgee Airport, with its state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated personnel, exemplified the country's commitment to ensuring the readiness and proficiency of its armed forces.
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It was inactivated in 1944
Okmulgee Regional Airport in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, was opened as Okmulgee Field in 1942 as a United States Army Air Forces airfield. The airport was built with three 6,000-ft hard surface runways, and it began training United States Army Air Corps cadets under contract to Sooner Air Training Corp. The Okmulgee Airport project was designated as necessary for national defence and was to be operated for the public unless the military needed exclusive rights for defence.
The airport was placed under the direct supervision of the Civil Aeronautics Administration. It was completed and handed over to the City of Okmulgee on September 7, 1943. Before the airport was built, the City's only airport facility was a turf landing strip 3 miles east of the town on Highway 62. This is where combat glider pilots and other airborne assault personnel were trained before the airport's construction.
Okmulgee Regional Airport was inactivated on June 30, 1944, coinciding with the drawdown of the AAFTC's pilot training program. This marked a shift in the airport's purpose and ownership. It was declared surplus and transferred to the Army Corps of Engineers on September 30, 1945, and subsequently handed over to the War Assets Administration (WAA), transitioning into a civil airport.
The inactivation of Okmulgee Regional Airport in 1944 was part of a larger reorganisation and redistribution of resources within the military and aviation sectors. With the end of World War II drawing near, there was a reassessment of training programs and facilities. The airport's inactivation allowed for a reallocation of resources to other priority areas, reflecting the changing demands of the time.
Following its inactivation, the airport underwent a transformation. It transitioned from a primary training airfield to a civil airport, serving a broader region beyond the Okmulgee community. This shift in purpose and ownership paved the way for future developments and expansions, ensuring the airport's continued relevance and service to the region.
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It became a civil airport in 1950
Okmulgee Regional Airport in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, has had a long and varied history since its inception during World War II. The airport was originally opened as Okmulgee Field in 1942 as a United States Army Air Forces airfield, playing a crucial role in training combat glider pilots and other airborne assault personnel who would go on to serve in World War II.
Following the war, the airport underwent a series of transfers and reassignments. It was inactivated in 1944 with the drawdown of the AAFTC's pilot training program and declared surplus, eventually making its way to the War Assets Administration (WAA). It then became a civil airport, with Central Airlines scheduling flights to Okmulgee from 1950 to 1953. It was during this transformative period, in June 1950, that the airport became a designated stop between Tulsa and Holdenville, Oklahoma, marking its transition into a civil aviation hub.
In the following decades, the airport continued to serve the region, and in 1999, its name was officially changed to Okmulgee Regional Airport. This change reflected its classification by the Oklahoma Aeronautical Commission, indicating that the airport served a greater area than just the Okmulgee community. The airport has continued to undergo improvements and expansions, as evidenced by the proposed Fiscal Year 2019-2021 Triennial DBE Goal for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise airport construction projects, demonstrating its ongoing importance to the region's aviation infrastructure.
The transition of Okmulgee Airport into a civil aviation hub in 1950 marked a significant shift in its purpose and operations. No longer solely focused on military endeavours, the airport began accommodating commercial flights and serving a broader civilian population. This shift reflected the changing needs of the region and the nation as a whole, transitioning from a wartime footing to a time of peace and economic growth. The airport's new role as a civil aviation hub likely brought new challenges and opportunities, impacting the local community and shaping the airport's future development.
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Frequently asked questions
The Okmulgee Airport, now known as the Okmulgee Regional Airport, was opened in 1942 as a United States Army Air Forces airfield.
The airport is owned by the city of Okmulgee, which is in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma.
The airport was initially used for training combat glider pilots and other airborne assault personnel who fought in World War II.
In 1999, the airport was designated as a regional airport by the Oklahoma Aeronautical Commission, indicating that it serves a wider area than just the Okmulgee community.
