Walnut Ridge Regional Airport
Walnut Ridge Army Airfield
Marine Corps Air Facility Walnut Ridge
2006 USGS aerial image
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerCity of Walnut Ridge
ServesWalnut Ridge, Arkansas
LocationCampbell Township, Lawrence County
BuiltJune 20, 1942
Elevation AMSL279 ft / 85 m
Coordinates36°07′29″N 090°55′30″W / 36.12472°N 90.92500°W / 36.12472; -90.92500
Websitehttp://walnutridgeairport.com/
Map
KARG is located in Arkansas
KARG
KARG
Location of Walnut Ridge Regional Airport
KARG is located in the United States
KARG
KARG
KARG (the United States)
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
04/22 6,001 1,829 Asphalt
13/31 5,003 1,525 Concrete
18/36 5,001 1,524 Concrete
Statistics (2023)
Aircraft operations (year ending 3/31/2023)40,000
Based aircraft45

Walnut Ridge Regional Airport (IATA: ARG, ICAO: KARG, FAA LID: ARG) is a city-owned public-use airport located four nautical miles (7 km) northeast of the central business district of Walnut Ridge, a city in Lawrence County, Arkansas, United States.[1] According to the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2009–2013, its FAA airport category is general aviation.[2]

History

On August 15, 1942, the US Army opened Walnut Ridge Army Airfield, a pilot training school on 3,000 acres north of the town. During World War II, Air Cadets flew the BT-13 to learn the basics of flying in combat situations. 4,641 pilots graduated from the "basic" school while the flight school was open. On September 1, 1944, the airfield was transferred to the Department of the Navy and operated as the Marine Corps Air Facility, Walnut Ridge. The facility was decommissioned on March 15, 1945.[3]

In 1956, Walnut Ridge Air Force Station was opened at the airfield. Part of Phase II of the Air Defense Command Mobile Radar program, this facilities' role was to guide interceptor aircraft toward unidentified intruders picked up on the unit's radar scopes. The radar station closed in 1963.[4]

In 1964, The Beatles briefly stopped at this airport on the way to and from a retreat in Missouri. This visit inspired a monument, a plaza, and a music festival in Walnut Ridge.[5][6]

In 1999, the a museum was opened at the airfield to interpret the history of the base. The Wings of Honor Museum boasts a collection of artifacts and airplanes including a BT-13 on display in the main exhibit hall.[7]

Facilities and aircraft

Walnut Ridge Regional Airport covers an area of 1,800 acres (730 ha) at an elevation of 279 feet (85 m) above mean sea level. It has three runways: 4/22 is 6,001 by 150 feet (1,829 x 46 m) with an asphalt surface; 13/31 is 5,003 by 150 feet (1,525 x 46 m) with a concrete surface; 18/36 is 5,001 by 150 feet (1,524 x 46 m) with a concrete surface.[1]

For the 12-month period ending March 31, 2023, the airport had 40,000 aircraft operations, an average of 110 per day: 93% general aviation, 6% military, and <1% air taxi. At that time there were 45 aircraft based at this airport: 36 single-engine, 4 multi-engine, 1 jet and 4 helicopter.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 FAA Airport Form 5010 for ARG PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective November 30, 2023.
  2. ↑ National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2009–2013: Appendix A: Part 1 (PDF, 1.33 MB). Federal Aviation Administration. Updated 15 October 2008.
  3. ↑ Johnson, Harold (August 2, 2023). "Walnut Ridge Army Flying School". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  4. ↑ "Air Field Chronology". Walnut Ridge Army Air Field. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  5. ↑ "Stopover of the Beatles". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. Updated 21 August 2015.
  6. ↑ Beatles at the Ridge (festival website)
  7. ↑ "About Us". WINGS OF HONOR. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
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