WPAFB eyes local airport as new runway for assault landing training

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By Kelsey Cano, Staff Writer Updated 12:05 PM Sunday, July 24, 2011

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield-Beckley Airport may get a runway for C-17 assault landing training out of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, a move that could save the city of Springfield hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.

As the C-5 Galaxy cargo aircraft assigned to Wright-Patt are retired and replaced with C-17 cargo transport planes, additional aircrew training requirements have been put in place, including a requirement to conduct assault landings.

The assault landings have to be done on a runway of a particular length and width — 3,500 to 5,000 feet long and 90 to 100 feet wide, said spokeswoman Maj. Cynthia Harris.

There is no suitable runway at the base, so crews have been flying out of state twice a week, typically to Washington State or South Carolina, to conduct training exercises.

The 445th Airlift Wing is expected to receive at least three more C-17s in addition to the five it currently has, and when it does, practice assault take-offs and landings would be conducted about four times a week, Harris said.

“Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command and the 445th Airlift Wing are currently pursuing options to construct a suitable landing zone within 30 minutes to reduce fuel costs and increase the efficiency of the wing’s flying training time,” Harris said.

The Springfield-Beckley Airport site is under serious consideration, according to multiple sources, and local officials and lawmakers are working to make that happen.

“It will save the federal government money to find somewhere closer. It’s better for the troops and the economy,” said Springfield Economic Development Administrator Tom Franzen.

Currently, the Air National Guard owns the air traffic control tower at Springfield-Beckley Airport. When the F-16 pilot training program ended last year through a base realignment, and after a maintenance program ends Sept. 30, maintenance costs for the 1,000-acre facility, fire fighting and control of the tower will be handed to the city.

“We’ve requested (the traffic control tower) be turned over to the city. ... It’s our belief it will be turned over to us when they cease operations Sept. 30,” said Springfield City Manager Jim Bodenmiller.

The military announced in May that the Springfield Air National Guard Base would get two new missions: Personnel at the base will analyze data for the National Air and Space Intelligence Center and remotely fly the unmanned MQ-1 Predator, for which the tower won’t be needed, said Bodenmiller.

While tower operations are important to several businesses at the airport, taking it over will also cost the city an estimated $300,000 to $500,000 annually, depending on the city’s “level of coverage the tower is manned with,” Bodenmiller said.

But, if the assault training runway is constructed in Springfield, it’s assumed Wright-Patt would help cover some of those costs.

“If the C-17 were to locate in Springfield, they would help offset the costs of the tower ... they would rent blocks of time. Frankly, the C-17 mission would have enough flights they would have the majority of the costs,” Bodenmiller said.

Even if Springfield were selected for the runway, the city still faces picking up those costs until a decision is reached.

“Our challenge is a budgetary one because it’s tough times right now. We’re looking at several different options for funding this program in the interim,” Bodenmiller said.

Some tax dollars will be used, he said, but added “it’s an investment for our future. It would bring jobs and keep jobs in Springfield and Clark County.”

Rep. Steve Austria, R-Beavercreek, said funding hasn’t been established, but it would go through the Air Force’s budget

“As soon as they decide on a site (for the runway,) then we’ll deal with funding,” he said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-347 or kcano@Springfield NewsSun.com.

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