Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield (KGTB/GTB)

USA / New York / Great Bend /
 airport, military, United States Army
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Originating in the earliest days of US Army Air Corps aviation operations as a small turf field to support US Army units training at Pine Camp, the Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield came into the modern era during the Second World War. Greatly expanded and upgraded with the addition of hangars and twin 4,500ft runways, the site became a major training base for US Army Air Force flyers operating in support of the 4th Armored Division, 45th Infantry Division and the 5th Armored Division as they honed their skills prior to overseas deployment.

Periodically upgraded and modernized as needed to support training needs in the years after World War Two, the airfield was given a major update in 1985 when Fort Drum was designated as the new home for the 10th Mountain Division. As a designated United States Rapid Deployment Force, the 10th Mountain Division required major upgrades to just about every facet of Wheeler-Sack's infrastructure and by 1988 the airfield was capable of handling any aircraft in the United States Air Force inventory. Fully equipped with cargo scales, Weapons Storage Areas, on-apron refueling points and a vehicle staging areas, the field is specifically designed to permit the rapid logistical buildup and deployment of the 10th Mountain Divisions warfighting material. For processing the soldiers of the 10th, a troop processing facility at the airfield can accommodate Battalion-sized (1,200) groups of fully-kitted soldiers for immediate deployment on USAF transports.

Aside from its role as a major staging and deployment airfield, Wheeler-Sack has also been equipped with several fully-modernized helicopter staging areas and a dedicated UAV operating area to assist in training operations being carried out at the Fort.

Runway Info:
Rwy 3/21 - Concrete, 10,000ft/3,048m
Rwy 8/26 - Concrete, 4,482ft/1,366m
Rwy 15/33 - Concrete 4,999ft/1,524m

www.airnav.com/airport/KGTB
www.drum.army.mil/Pages/index.aspx
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   44°3'40"N   75°42'53"W
This article was last modified 11 years ago