MERIDIAN REGIONAL AIRPORT

'Meridian Regional Airport' is a public airport located on 'Key Field', three miles (5 km) southwest of the city of Meridian in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, USA. The airport is served by one commercial airline, but is primarily used for general aviation and some military traffic.

Contents

History

Airline

Military

General Aviation

External links

History

Meridian Regional Airport opened in November of 1930 with the completion of the terminal, hangar, powerhouse and a graded and packed dirt runway. With the onset of the Great Depression, the City of Meridian considered abandoning the airport because of the cost of maintenance.
Brothers Algene and Frederick Key, managers of the airport, devised a scheme to keep the airport operating. They hoped that by breaking the standing flight endurance record of 23 days they would focus worldwide attention on Meridian and its airport.
From June 4 until July 1, 1935, the brothers flew over Meridian; a total flight time of over 27 days. 'Key Field' is named in their honor. The hangar and offices used by the Key brothers preceding and following the flight are still in use today and are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Airline

★ Delta Air Lines

★
★ Delta Connection operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines (Atlanta)

Military

Key Field is home to the Air National Guard 186th Air Refueling Wing (ARW). The 186th ARW operates a fleet of KC-135R Stratotankers. The KC-135R is a mid-air refueler that can carry as much as 30,000 gallons of fuel to all parts of the World.
Key Field is also home to the Army National Guard 185th Army Aviation Support Facility, Company G. The 185th operates a fleet of CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The Chinook is a multi-purpose transport/cargo helicopter capable of carrying 55 troops and gear or can also sling-load up to 25,000 pounds.
Aircraft from nearby NAS Meridian frequently practice approaches and other procedures over Key Field.
Air Rescue and Firefighting capabilites are provided by the Air National Guard. Due to their mission as a Refueling Wing, they provide the entire Airport with firefighting capabilities that will rival any airport in the Southeastern United States.
According to the 2005 BRAC Report, the 186th ARW is to be reassigned per recommendation #97, distributing its KC-135R aircraft between the 101st, 128th, and 134th ANG wings, in Maine, Wisconsin, and Tennessee, respectively. The BRAC Report also states that the 186th ANG's firefighting positions are to be reassigned to the 172nd Air Wing at Jackson International Airport. These transfers are to take place in 2010 and 2011.
In 2011, the same year that the 2005 BRAC realignments are to be completed, the 186th ARW is expecting to receive two new missions. According to Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and State Adjutant General Harold Cross, these missions are to be a new Joint Cargo Aircraft mission and an Air Force War Fighting Headquarters. [1] According to Tom Williams, CEO of Meridian Airport Authority, this will result in an increase in local jobs at Meridian's Air National Guard facility. [2]

General Aviation

Meridian Regional Airport Authority operates Meridian Aviation, a full service FBO on the airport.

External links

★ Meridian Regional Airport (official site)

★ Meridian Aviation