| Henry Post Army Airfield | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| IATA: FSI – ICAO: KFSI – FAA LID: FSI | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Military | ||
| Owner | U.S. Army ATCA-ASO | ||
| Location | Fort Sill, Oklahoma | ||
| Built | 1917 | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 1,189 ft / 362 m | ||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 17/35 | 5,001 | 1,524 | Concrete |
| Source: Federal Aviation Administration[1] | |||
Henry Post Army Airfield (IATA: FSI, ICAO: KFSI, FAA LID: FSI) is a military use airport located at Fort Sill in Comanche County, Oklahoma, United States. This military airport is owned by United States Army.[1] It is the oldest continually operating airfield in the U.S. Army inventory. Established in 1917, it is named in honor of pioneer aviator Henry Post (1885–1914).
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In July 1915 the 1st Aero Squadron arrived at Ft. Sill and stayed there while its permanent field in California was being finished. it was followed by the 3d Aero Squadron. Post Field was named after Henry Post, and officially established as an Airfield on 10-Sept-1917. Although the Signal corps had been supplying Observation aircraft for the United States Army Field Artillery School since 1915. In the early days of aviation Observation balloons were considered a little more reliable than Airplanes for artillery spotting. Company A 1st Balloon Squadron was assigned to the post on 24-Sept 1917. but was split up into the 25th, and 26th Balloon Companies. along with the new field designation the 4th Aero Squadron was assigned to start training, and remained there until disbanded after the war. After the war the field was all but abandoned except for a balloon school/company. the tarpaper buildings rotting and turning into fire hazards. finally in the early 1930s the Army along with the WPA was able to build permanent buildings the oldest of which, Bldg. 4908 the aircraft maintenance hangar (c.1932), still stands. In 1934 the famous balloon hangar was built to house Dirigibles.
In 1940 the Artillery decided that the Air Corps had outgrown such mundane chores as spotting, and it was decided that it would take care of itself with its own spotter aircraft. ushering in the era of the now famous grasshoppers, and Bird dogs. The Air Corps then turned over Post Field to the Army, which established the Department of Air Training there. Temporary mobilization buildings, including mainly barracks and troop support buildings like a recreation hall and post exchanges, were built in connection with the school. What was originally a five-week course was soon expanded, and special primary flight schools for prospective Field Artillery pilots were set up at Pittsburg, Kansas, and Denton, Texas. After attending one of these primary schools, pilots went to Post Field for their advanced training, which included shortfield procedures, and observer training. The United States Army Aviation School was added in 1945 but was transferred to Fort Rucker in 1954. The runway was not paved until after WWII had ended.
There are no air units currently stationed at the airfield, however air operations for transient units are provided by permanent party personnel.
Henry Post AAF has one runway designated 17/35 with a concrete surface measuring 5,001 by 200 feet (1,524 x 61 m).[1]
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