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Our HISTORY:
Sewart Air Force Base, Smyrna, Tennessee Coordinates
36-00, 086-31.
Sewart A.F.B. sat on approximately 3,000
acres. The base was activated in 1942 as a heavy bombardment Army Air
Forces Base training combat aircrews for World War II. The base was
deactivated in 1947 and then, a year later, reactivated as Smyrna Air Force
Base.
The 314th Troop Carrier Wing was activated November 1,
1948 to prepare aircrews of the United States Air Force and other services for
combat and to perform "special" airborne missions with United States Army units
based primarily at Fort Campbell, KY, Fort Bragg, NC, and Fort Benning, GA.
On February 15, 1950, Smyrna Air Force
base was renamed Sewart Air Force Base in honor of Major Allan J. Sewart.,
formerly of Nashville and Murfreesboro, TN, who was killed in aerial combat over
the Solomon Islands in 1942.
In the ensuing years the base provided
America's finest trained men and women aircrew and ground personnel, who served
faithfully in defense of freedom and covered themselves in glory around the
world that others may be free.
The 314th Troop Carrier Wing Motto
"Anywhere, Anytime" will echo through history and epitomizes the spirit of the
"Volunteer State."
Until it was closed June 30, 1970,
it was home-sweet-home to thousands of men
and women from 1942 through 1970. After Sewart Air
Force Base closed in 1970 it was the end of an era but the deeds of the men and
women who served here and whose blood was shed for America will NEVER be
forgotten.
What Happened to Sewart A.F.B?:
The Metropolitan Nashville
Airport Authority assumed control until May 15, 1991 at which time the property
was transferred to the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority. The Airport
Authority then began operation Rebuild/Renew which was designed to renovate the
vintage air base and increase the economic base of the community as well as
carry the Airport and surrounding transportation system into the 21st Century.
Some "New" statistics for a Proud A.F.B.:
Located twelve nautical miles
south of Nashville Airport, Smyrna Airport is the "reliever" airport for
Nashville. With over 1,700 acres, Smyrna Airport is now the third largest
airport in Tennessee and the busiest general aviation airport in Tennessee.
Smyrna Airport users have, within ten miles, access to rail and three interstate
systems which transverse Middle Tennessee. Smyrna Airport is located in the
geographic center of Tennessee and more importantly the center of the eastern
United States. Eighty percent of the United States population lives within a 700
mile radius of Smyrna. These factors influence the location of industry in the
Smyrna area.
Smyrna Airport is owned by both the Town of Smyrna, at
40%, and the County of Rutherford, 60%, and is governed by the Airport
Authority. The Airport Authority is composed of five members who are appointed
to administer, operate and otherwise manage the Smyrna Airport and to carry out
its mission. Two members are appointed by the Town of Smyrna Board of
Commissioners upon being nominated by the Mayor of Smyrna. Two members are
appointed by the Rutherford County Commissioners upon nomination by the
Rutherford County Executive. One member is recommended by the Mayor of LaVergne,
and approved by the Town of Smyrna Board of Commissioners and Rutherford County
Commissioners. Members serve a five-year term and meet monthly on the second
Wednesday.
Smyrna Airport is designated a General
Aviation/Reliever Airport. That means it is a public airport offering services
to all aviation except scheduled air carrier operations. It has two runways. The
primary runway is 8,037 feet long and is equipped with an Instrument Landing
System, and the second runway is 5,546 feet long. The airfield is equipped with
a complete lighting system with intensity sensitive runway lighting. The Air
Traffic Control Tower operates 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., seven days per week.
Smyrna Airport currently operates as a joint use training facility with the
Tennessee Army National Guard helicopter unit, AASF#1 (Army Aviation Support
Facility #1). AASF#1 operates 60 helicopters with 300 full time National Guard
personnel. The airport also serves as a C-130 training facility for the 118th
Air Wing of the Air National Guard from Nashville as well as C-141 training from
Memphis Air National Guard. Smyrna Airport also serves as a hurricane evacuation
point for military facilities along the Gulf and East Coasts.
Smyrna Airport's size, location, facilities and minimal levels of commercial
traffic make it attractive for training purposes. Some things just
NEVER change....
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