| Hayward Executive Airport | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| IATA: HWD – ICAO: KHWD | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Public | ||
| Operator | City of Hayward | ||
| Location | Hayward, California | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 50 ft / 15.2 m | ||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 10R/28L | 5,024 | 1,531 | Asphalt |
| 10L/28R | 3,107 | 947 | Asphalt |
Hayward Executive Airport (IATA: HWD, ICAO: KHWD) is a general aviation towered airport located in Hayward, California, USA, near the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay.[1]
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The airport was built in 1942 during World War II for use as a fighter base as an auxiliary field to Chico Army Air Field and was originally named Hayward Army Airfield. The primary aircraft stationed at the field were Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter aircraft. This post may have also been named "Russell City Army Air Field" for the unincorporated area outside of the Hayward city limits where it was located. The airfield was assigned to the United States Army Air Forces Fourth Air Force.
After the war ended, the airport was declared surplus property by the federal government.
In April 1947, the War Assets Administration quitclaimed the airfield, comprising some 690 acres (279 ha) and related buildings and equipment, to the City of Hayward. The airfield was then renamed the Hayward Municipal Airport.[2]
The California Air National Guard moved onto land adjoining the airport in 1949. A control tower was erected in 1960. Initially it was the home of the 61st Fighter Wing which included the 194th Fighter Squadron on 25 June 1948.
The 61st Fighter Wing was re-designated as the 144th Fighter Bomber Wing on 1 November 1950. The wing also consisted of the 192nd Fighter Squadron at Reno, Nevada and the 191st Fighter Squadron at Salt Lake City, Utah.
The North American P-51D Mustang and later the P-51H were flown from 1948 until 31 October 1954. During its early years with the P-51D/H, the unit earned prominence as one of the Air Force's most respected aerial gunnery competitors. In June 1953, while still flying the P-51, the unit qualified for the first all-jet, worldwide gunnery meet. Using borrowed F-86A Sabre jets, the 144th, which represented the Air National Guard, placed fifth in competition.
On 3 April 1955 the 129th Air Resupply Squadron was established at Hayward and equipped with Curtiss C-46D Commandos in the Summer 1955 supplemented by Grumman SA-16A Albatrosses in 1958. The C-46Ds were phased out 1 November 1958, and the unit was redesignated as the 129th Troop Carrier Squadron (Medium). On January 20, 1962 the unit reached Group status with federal recognition of the 129th Troop Carrier Group.
On 1 May 1980 the California Air National Guard units at Hayward were reassigned to NAS Moffett Field near San Jose.
Hayward Executive Airport covers 543 acres (220 ha) and has two runways:
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