Scott AFB Reopens Main Runway
Marks Completion of MidAmerica Airport
Joint-Use Construction
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, IL (October 30, 1999) -- Scott Air Force Base opened its improved, longer runway Friday, giving it the ability to handle every aircraft in the Air Force for the first time in decades.
Surrounded by local dignitaries on a taxiway, Col. Bradley Baker, commander of the 375th Airlift Wing, by radio ordered an inspection truck to check the runway. The truck crew reported back that the runway was clear and that they had removed the large "X" at the end of the runway that had marked it as closed to approaching aircraft for the past 18 months.
 Baker then called the joint control tower that serves both Scott AFB and the adjacent MidAmerica Airport. "You are cleared to launch Scott Air Force Base aircraft, and we will once again hear the sound of freedom departing from our runway" Baker said. The crowd cheered as one of the wing's C-21 executive jets, the Air Force version of the Learjet 35A business jet, shot into the sky.
It was followed soon after by a C-9 Nightingale flying ambulance and a KC-135E Stratotanker belonging to Scott AFB's newest unit, the Illinois Air National Guard's 126th Air Refueling Wing, which raised its flag last Saturday.
The runway opening marks the completion of St. Clair County's construction of the $315 million MidAmerica Airport joint-use project using a combination of county, state and federal funds.
In return for building the civilian airport adjacent to Scott AFB, the county agreed to upgrade the Scott AFB runway and build the $97 million Patriots Landing housing area so base residents would not be forced to live between the runways.
The Scott AFB runway was rebuilt and extended from 7,000 to 8,000 feet. Also added was a taxiway that parallels the length of the runway, allowing shorter times between take-offs and landings.
While the Scott AFB runway was being rebuilt, Air Force planes used the MidAmerica Airport 10,000-foot runway, which is connected to Scott AFB by a 7,000-foot crossover taxiway. Now, military and civilian aircraft will have access to either runway as needed.
Baker said Scott's old runway was just a little too short, especially when hot weather made the air thinner, giving less lift. "I could not take off with a fully loaded C-9 in summer months," he said. "And a full KC-135 would not even attempt it."
The Scott AFB runway now can handle any plane in the Air Force, although really heavy aircraft such as a KC-135 with a full load of fuel will probably use the longer MidAmerica Airport runway, he said.
For now, MidAmerica Airport also has better instrument landing capabilities, meaning it will be the runway of choice for bad weather until the Scott AFB runway instruments are upgraded.
Information provided by the Belleville News-Democrat
Rod Hafemeister Article
KC-135 Photo - Derik Holtman
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