Can Civilians Use Military Airports?

Military airports play a crucial role in national security and strategic operations. However, civilians often wonder whether they can use these facilities in different circumstances. This article delves into the regulations and scenarios where civilians may or may not be allowed to use military airfields.

Accidents and Emergencies

From personal experience at Travis Air Force Base (AFB), we witnessed a civil Cessna declaring an inflight emergency (IFE) late at night. Despite the ground fog, our Air Traffic Control (ATC) was willing to guide the pilot using one of our two 10,000-foot runways. Unfortunately, the pilot was unable to complete the landing and crashed just outside the base perimeter, killing both on board. This incident demonstrates that military airfields do handle inflight emergencies, but the regulations and procedures are strict and must be followed.

Joint Use Airports

In some cases, joint use airports like Charleston–Joint Base Charleston and Eglin–Okaloosa County allow civilian aircraft to land and then taxi to the civilian side. These airports facilitate operations that are beneficial to both military and civilian entities, ensuring smooth operations for both parties.

Extreme Weather Conditions

During extreme weather conditions, military airfields can serve as emergency landing sites for commercial flights. For example, when bad weather hit the area around Inverness Airport, flights were successfully diverted to Royal Air Force Kinloss. This base had better landing aids and support, ensuring the safety of the passengers and crew.

Official Reasons

Generally, military airfields are not open to civilian use unless there are official reasons and specific authorization has been granted. Civilians, including members of the White House Cabinet, American intelligence agencies (CIA, NSA, and FBI), and other government officials, may be allowed entry under certain circumstances. For instance, if there is an emergency that requires immediate intervention, civilians with authorization can use the airfield.

Conclusion

Military airfields are primarily designed for military operations and strategic missions. However, they do have the capability to handle civilian emergencies under specific conditions. Joint use airports allow for a more flexible and cooperative approach, where both military and civilian parties can benefit from the facilities. In summary, while civilians cannot use military airfields for routine purposes, there are scenario-specific situations where access is permitted.