Program Funds Used To Convert Former Military Airports To Civilian Or Joint Use

Wichita Falls Regional Airport (KSPS) recently learned it would receive a $5 million Military Airport Program (MAP) grant to help build a passenger new terminal, replacing a structure that is more than 50 years old.

The Texas airport is one of eight participating in the program that is designed to help decommissioned military airports convert to civilian use, or active military airports add joint-use capabilities.

The Times Record newspaper reports that the airport, officially Sheppard AFB/Wichita Falls Municipal Airport, was put on the MAP list in 2012. The designation had to be extended for an additional year this year to allow the airport to complete reconstruction of the terminal building.

The airport is jointly used by civilians and military personnel, and it is the main transportation center for thousands of airmen and other military personnel arriving at and departing from Sheppard AFB. The city leases the land for the airport from the Air Force.

The overall renovation project at the airport, which will also include some taxiway refurbishment, road construction, and other projects, is expected to cost about $24 million. The airport began the project in 2013, and it is expected to be completed this November.

FMI: http://flywichitafalls.net