Military Airport Glossary – Comprehensive Definitions and Concepts

Military Airport

A military airport (or military aerodrome) is a secured airfield managed by a nation’s armed forces. Operated by entities like the Department of Defense (DoD) in the United States, these airports serve as strategic and tactical hubs for national defense. They support a spectrum of missions: airlift, combat operations, surveillance, aerial refueling, cargo logistics, and medical evacuation.

Unlike civilian airports, military airports are designed for rapid deployment, secure access, and the ability to accommodate a diverse fleet, from fighters and bombers to heavy transports and helicopters. Access is tightly controlled by military personnel, and the public is generally prohibited.

Infrastructure and Operations

Military airports feature robust infrastructure built to withstand high operational tempo and potential hostile action. Notable features include:

• Hardened aircraft shelters
• Blast-resistant fuel storage
• Extensive perimeter security
• Command and control centers
• Specialized maintenance hangars

Runways, taxiways, and aprons are often wider and thicker than civilian equivalents, supporting heavier and more frequent military aircraft operations. Air traffic control is performed by military-trained personnel, using distinct procedures and protocols for operational security.

Facilities may also include weapons storage, munitions handling, contingency operation sites, and rapid medical evacuation areas. Temporary airstrips or Expeditionary Airfield Lighting Systems (EALS) can be rapidly established for emergency or forward-deployed use.

Regulatory Context

Internationally, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recognizes military airports as non-public-use aerodromes, subject to separate regulatory frameworks. This distinction ensures military operations can proceed with necessary confidentiality and security. In select cases, military airports may include joint-use or shared-use arrangements with civil aviation.

Joint-Use Airport

A joint-use airport is a military-owned airfield that also accommodates civilian aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defines these as DoD-owned airports with civilian access granted via formal agreements like Memoranda of Understanding (MOU).

Key points:

• Military authority retains operational control, especially during heightened defense activity or emergencies.
• Civilian airlines may operate scheduled passenger/cargo, general aviation, and charter flights within designated areas and times.
• Agreements specify how air traffic control, emergency response, and maintenance are coordinated.

Examples: Charleston Air Force Base/Charleston International Airport, Dover Air Force Base.

Joint-use airports require advanced collaboration among the DoD, FAA, local authorities, and stakeholders to integrate civilian and military activities while maintaining security and readiness.

Shared-Use Airport

A shared-use airport features a military airfield co-located with a civilian airport, with shared infrastructure (runways, taxiways, navigational aids). Unlike joint-use airports, operational control may be more clearly separated, with military and civilian authorities managing their respective facilities.

Key points:

• Legal agreements define resource allocation, scheduling, and maintenance.
• Civilian and military terminal facilities are often segregated with separate security protocols.
• Air traffic control may be joint or managed by a single entity.

Examples: Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, Bangor International Airport.

These arrangements optimize infrastructure use, support regional growth, and maintain military readiness.

Commercial Service Airport

A commercial service airport is a public-use airport receiving scheduled passenger service and having at least 2,500 annual passenger boardings. Such airports are integral to the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) and are eligible for federal funding.

Key features:

• Serve scheduled passenger, cargo, general aviation, and often military operations.
• Must meet FAA safety, accessibility, and operational standards (14 CFR Part 139).
• May benefit from shared infrastructure and funding if located on or near military installations.

Commercial service airports play a crucial role in the U.S. transportation network, supporting both civil and, in some cases, military needs.

Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)

Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) is a U.S. process to increase DoD efficiency by closing or consolidating military installations. Since 1977, BRAC has closed or realigned over 350 installations, with many former airfields repurposed for civilian or joint use.

Key outcomes:

• Conversion of surplus military airfields into commercial/general aviation airports or industrial parks.
• Economic development for local communities.
• Environmental remediation and infrastructure upgrades.

BRAC has helped integrate former military airfields into the national airport system while enhancing defense efficiency.

Development of Landing Areas for National Defense (DLAND)

The Development of Landing Areas for National Defense (DLAND) was a World War II-era program enabling the construction of nearly 1,000 military airfields across the U.S. These airfields supported training, logistics, and deployment, and many later became the foundation of today’s airport system.

Legacy:

• Set standards for robust airfield construction.
• Facilitated rapid mobilization and federal investment in aviation infrastructure.
• Many DLAND airfields now serve commercial or general aviation roles.

Airport Improvement Program (AIP)

The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) is an FAA grant program funding airport planning, development, and maintenance. Projects eligible for AIP funding include runways, taxiways, lighting, terminals, and rescue facilities.

Highlights:

• Covers 75% to 95% of eligible project costs.
• Prioritizes safety, capacity, security, and environmental sustainability.
• Includes set-asides for noise mitigation, small airports, and the Military Airport Program (MAP).

AIP modernizes airport infrastructure for commercial, general aviation, and military use.

Military Airport Program (MAP)

The Military Airport Program (MAP), part of AIP, supports the conversion of former military airfields to civilian use and enhances national airport capacity.

Features:

• Dedicated funding for infrastructure redevelopment at eligible airports.
• Focuses on relieving congestion, supporting underserved areas, and promoting economic growth.
• Allows projects not typically covered by standard AIP, such as revenue-producing facilities.

MAP has transformed many surplus military bases into thriving civilian airports.

Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF)

Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) is a specialized emergency response service for aviation incidents, including aircraft crashes, fires, hazardous material spills, and medical emergencies.

At military airports:

• Governed by DoD Instruction 6055.06, with strict response time and capability requirements.
• ARFF must comply with both military and FAA Part 139 standards at joint-use/shared-use airports.
• Teams are equipped with specialized vehicles, firefighting agents, and extraction tools.

ARFF is essential for passenger and crew safety and asset protection.

Emergency/Expeditionary Airfield Lighting Systems (EALS/EALS II)

Emergency Airfield Lighting System (EALS) and EALS II are portable lighting solutions for rapid deployment in contingency or austere environments.

Capabilities:

• Enable operational runways/taxiways where permanent infrastructure is lacking.
• Support visual and instrument approaches using modular, quickly deployable components.
• EALS II offers LED lighting, wireless controls, and enhanced durability.

EALS is vital for military, disaster relief, and humanitarian operations.

Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC)

The Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) is a set of DoD standards for military infrastructure, including airfields.

Scope:

• Covers runway design, pavement strength, lighting, markings, security, and environmental resilience.
• Reflects unique military needs (e.g., heavy load, survivability).
• Harmonized with FAA standards at joint/shared-use airports.

UFC ensures military airfields can handle all mission profiles, from training to combat operations.

Passenger Facility Charge (PFC)

A Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) is a federally authorized fee airports collect from passengers to fund FAA-approved improvement projects.

Details:

• Capped at $4.50 per enplanement (max two charges per one-way trip).
• Funds terminal expansion, runway rehabilitation, ARFF, noise mitigation, and more.
• Projects must meet eligibility criteria and undergo public review.

PFCs help modernize airports, especially at commercial service and joint/shared-use facilities.

National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS)

The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) is the FAA’s roadmap for U.S. public-use airport development.

Key elements:

• Identifies airports significant to national air transportation.
• Required for AIP and other federal funding eligibility.
• Guides infrastructure investment and system performance evaluation.

Inclusion in NPIAS supports the integration and funding of military and former military airports into the civil system.

Contingency Airfield

A contingency airfield is a temporary or semi-permanent military airfield established for operations in austere, forward, or emergency locations. These can be built from unimproved surfaces or roadways and are supported by portable systems like EALS.

Purpose:

• Supports rapid force projection, logistics, special operations, and casualty evacuation.
• Can be constructed and activated quickly for specific mission needs.
• Emphasizes flexibility, speed, and resilience in changing operational environments.

Conclusion

Military airports form the backbone of a nation’s air defense and rapid response capabilities. Through advanced infrastructure, regulatory separation, and programs like BRAC, DLAND, AIP, and MAP, these airfields support both national security and, increasingly, civil aviation needs. Joint-use and shared-use arrangements exemplify the synergy between military preparedness and community development, making military airports vital assets in modern aviation.