Pentagon Removed F-16s, FAA Now Says ANG Must Pay 'Fair Market Value' For Airport Use

The Air National Guard has notified Des Moines International Airport (KDSM) that it will not get an appraisal that would be required to renegotiate its lease at the airfield in the latest round of a dispute over how much that lease should be.

In 2012, the Department of Defense cut the F-16s that had been stationed at KDSM, and that triggered the debate. In order to receive FAA grants, the airport must charge "fair market" rent  for all of its tenants except military units with an aeronautical mission. If that were to be enforced, the Air National Guard's rent would jump from $1 (one) dollar per year to about $5 million.

The Des Moines Register reports that the mission of the ANG unit based at KDSM was shifted to one focused on unmanned aircraft for surveillance and cyber security, and it was not clear if that qualified as an "aeronautical mission." 

However, ANG officials say the Secretary of the Air Force recently approved the relocation of 10 Black Hawk helicopters belonging to the Iowa Army National Guard from Boone, IA to KDSM. Col. Greg Hapgood, a spokesman for the Iowa National Guard, said that "There is no question that is an aeronautical mission." The Air Force has taken the position that it has a valid lease through 2060, and that there are appropriate aeronautical activities either current or proposed that fill the FAA's AIP requirements.

But Des Moines International Airport Executive Director Kevin Foley said that moving the helicopters to KDSM would not end the lease debate. Foley says that the FAA mandates that the National Guard must be charged market rate on any property not used for flight operations or direct support for flight operations.

The issue is being followed closely by airport and military officials nationwide, as all agree that the resolution of the dispute will have national consequences.

FMI: www.dsmairport.com, www.iowanationalguard.com