Buchanan Field Airport/Concord Army Airfield (CCR/KCCR)

 airport, Second World War 1939-1945

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550 Sally Ride Drive
Concord, CA 94520
(925) 681-4200
www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/3801/Buchanan-Field-CCR

Buchanan Field Airport began in the Spring of 1942 when Contra Costa County purchased
407 acres for the development of an airport, with construction scheduled to begin later thatsummer. However, prior to the completion of airfield improvements, the U.S. Government, through the War Department, acquired the entire airport for use as an army airfield for the duration of World War II. Concord Army Airfield operated from 1943 until 1946. The Army Corps of Engineers constructed many temporary and permanent facility improvements during this time period including the runways currently designated 1L/19R and 14L/32R.

In 1946, the Air Corps deactivated Concord Army Air Field, and the property and buildings were deeded to Contra Costa County. In August of 1946 Buchanan Field Airport was opened as a public-use airport operated by the County and has been in continuous operation since that time. During the post-war period, Runway 6/24 was constructed and operated until 1961, when it was closed for the first time due to a conflict with the newly constructed air traffic control tower. Runway 6/24 was opened again in 1963 until 1976, at which time it was permanently closed and has served as Taxiway “C,” since then. In the late fall of 1966, Runway 1R/19L was relocated from its former location, and the then-existing runway was converted into parallel Taxiway “A”. During 1968 and 1969 Runway 14R/32L was created from the existing taxiway system, lengthened and supported by a newly constructed parallel taxiway, labeled Taxiway “B.”

Since this time, the airfield has seen the development of several other minor improvements to support airside access with the most notable being the construction of Taxiway “J” in 1975. The Buchanan Field Airport airside has operated in this configuration to the present day.

Buchanan Field Airport’s history also includes periods of commercial air service beginning in the 1960s and continuing into the 70s with commuter service to San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport by fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. The most significant period of commercial service however, took place from 1986 to 1992, providing service from Buchanan Field Airport to Los Angeles International Airport and San Jose International Airport. Commercial service ended in the fall of 1992 due to the prevailing economics of the airline industry."

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