Airport Runway extended

By CourtesySeptember 21, 2018

Airport runway extended
Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Garrison Commander Col. Jason Wolter; Liberty County Commission Chairman Donald Lovette; GDOT Chairman Ann Purcell; Hinesville Mayor Alan Brown; Georgia State Rep. Al Williams; 3rd ID Commander Maj. Gen. Lee Quinta... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Story by Michelle Cowart, Fort Stewart Frontline Staff

Fort Stewart Hunter Army Airfield and Liberty County held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Mid-Coast Regional Airport at Wright Army Airfield, Sept. 14, celebrating the conclusion of a two year runway expansion project.

3rd Infantry Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Lee Quintas and the Fort Stewart Garrison command team, Col. Jason Wolter and Command Sgt. Maj. Rebecca Myers, joined state and local leaders to help cut the ribbon.

Extending the runway from 5,007 to 6,500 feet and upgrading the pavement to meet Unified Facilities Criteria, the runway increases it's capabilities to land larger aircraft and support joint training across military services.

Wolter said the runway extension enhanced the installation's power projection ability; whether deploying tanks or conducting air drops.

"As we continue to change the way we conduct warfare and deployments," Wolter said. "We probably haven't even realized the full increase in capability. It's a significant change for Fort Stewart, the 3rd ID and really all the combat formations that train here."

Community pride was echoed among each of the guest speakers at the event, which included Georgia State Representative Al Williams; Hinesville Mayor Allen Brown; Liberty County Commission Chairman Donald Lovette; Liberty County Administrator Joey Brown and Georgia Department of Transportation Chairman Ann Purcell.

"Aside from the obvious benefits for our military and growing civilian community, the runway extension is also a testament of how well we all work together in this community." Brown said. "We could not have secured the $13 million in state and federal funding without the teamwork."

"It is not an 'I'," Purcell said. "It is a 'we' and it starts at home. It starts here in our community."

The successful completion of this project will hopefully lead to more ventures that will benefit Liberty County and surrounding areas.

"We will continue to seek other opportunities that will serve the civilians and the military community," Lovette said. "And further strengthen the ties that bind us together as one family, one community."