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Hunter Army Airfield
Hunter Army Airfield
Hunter Army Airfield
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Hunter Army Airfield (IATA: SVN, ICAO: KSVN, FAA LID: SVN), located in Savannah, Georgia, United States, is a military airfield and subordinate installation to Fort Stewart located in Hinesville, Georgia.

Key Information

Hunter features a runway that is 11,375 feet (3,467 m) long and an aircraft parking area that is more than 350 acres (1.4 km2). The runway and apron, combined with the 72,000 sq ft (6,700 m2) Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group (A/DACG) Facility and nearby railhead, allow the 3rd Infantry Division from nearby Fort Stewart to efficiently deploy soldiers and cargo worldwide. NASA identified Hunter as an alternate landing site for the Space Shuttle orbiters.[3]

Tenants

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Currently, Hunter Army Airfield has approximately 5,500 soldiers, airmen, coast guardsmen and Marines on station. It is home of the aviation units of the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) headquartered at Fort Stewart. There are also a number of non-divisional units assigned to Hunter as well.

Coast Guard Air Station Savannah

Coast Guard Air Station Savannah is also located on Hunter Army Airfield. Equipped with Eurocopter MH-65 Dolphin helicopters, Air Station Savannah provides the Savannah area, Coastal Georgia and South Carolina with round-the-clock search and rescue coverage of the area, to include both inland waters and off shore areas. They also provide security to the shores and borders with specialized Coast Guard sniper units.

History

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Origins

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In 1929, the General Aviation Committee of the Savannah City Council recommended that the 730 acres (3.0 km2) Belmont Tract, belonging to J. C. Lewis, be accepted by the council as the future site of the Savannah Municipal Airport. The cost of the land was $35,000. By September 1929, the runway and several buildings were ready and the city officially opened the new facility, known as Savannah Municipal Airport.

The airport became a part of Eastern Air Transport Incorporated air route on 2 December 1931, when Ida Hoynes, daughter of the Mayor, Thomas M. Hoynes, broke a bottle of Savannah River water on a propeller blade of an 18-passenger Curtiss Condor II during the christening ceremony.

Frank O. Hunter

The airport was named Hunter Municipal Airfield during Savannah Aviation Week in May 1940, in honor of Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col.) Frank O'Driscoll Hunter, a native of Savannah and a World War I flying ace.[6] Lt. Col. Hunter was not scheduled to appear in Savannah that week; However, he paid a surprise visit to the field on the first day of Aviation Week while en route to France to serve as a United States Military Air Attaché.

Savannah Army Air Base

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On 30 August 1940, the United States Army Air Corps received approval to build a base at Hunter Municipal Airfield. Official dedication of the airfield as Savannah Army Air Base took place 19 February 1941. The Army Air Corps assigned Savannah AAB initially to the Southeast Air District (later Third Air Force), III Air Support Command.[7]

The 27th Bombardment Group, equipped with Douglas B-18 Bolo medium bombers was the first assigned unit to the new airfield. The 27th was reassigned to the field from Barksdale Field, Louisiana. The group consisted of the 15th, 16th and 17th Bombardment Squadrons. In 1941, the group was reequipped with Douglas A-24 Banshee Dive Bombers, and on 21 October 1941 the group was ordered to the Philippine Islands in response to the growing crisis in the Pacific. The 27th returned to Hunter, without personnel or equipment on 4 May 1942 after being severely depleted in strength during the Battle of the Philippines (1942), and subsequent combat in the Dutch East Indies and New Guinea Campaigns (1942). The unit was reequipped with A-20 Havocs, remanned and retrained at Hunter. It was then deployed for combat with Twelfth Air Force in North Africa in July 1942.

During early 1942 after the Pearl Harbor Attack, Savannah AAB became a base for several Antisubmarine groups and squadrons of I Bomber Command and later Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command with a mission to patrol the Atlantic coast, locate and attack German U-boats.

Throughout 1942, light bomber and dive bomber groups received combat training at Savannah AAB before being deployed to the combat zones overseas. These groups included the:

With the U-boat mission taken over by the Navy after mid-1943, Savannah AAB became a training base for Martin B-26 Marauder medium bomber crews. Marauder groups which received final combat training were:

At the end of the war, Savannah AAB was used as a Separation Center for the discharge and furlough of service members returning from Europe. In June 1946, the airfield was returned to the City of Savannah.

From 1946 to 1949, many of its buildings were leased to industrial plants. Some of the buildings were used as apartment houses, and an orphanage was located in the former commanding officer's quarters. The University of Georgia established an extension campus on part of the old base, as well.

United States Air Force

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On 1 March 1949, Chatham Air Force Base, located eight miles (13 km) northwest of Savannah, was reopened by the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command. The 2d Bombardment Group was reassigned from Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona to Chatham, with the B-50 Superfortress. The limited facilities at Chatham made the base unfit for permanent use. Plans were made to close the base and move the B-50s to more suitable facilities. Rather than see the Air Force move elsewhere, Savannah offered to exchange airfields with the federal government along with 3,500 acres (14 km2) of additional land around Hunter for future base expansions. This arrangement was agreed upon and on 29 September 1950, the 2d Bomb Group moved to the base, reopened as Hunter Air Force Base and Chatham was turned over to the City of Savannah. At the time, Hunter AFB became the only U.S. military installation named for a living American, Major General (Retired) Frank Hunter.

Strategic Air Command

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Hunter AFB was assigned to the Strategic Air Command's (SAC) Second Air Force. Two major SAC medium bombardment wings were assigned to Hunter during the 1950s. Both came under the 38th Air Division which was also headquartered at Hunter.

The 2d Bomb Wing was the host unit at Hunter from the time the base reopened in 1950 until SAC left in 1963. It was initially equipped with B-50 Superfortress heavy bombers, being replaced by the B-47 Stratojet in 1953. From Hunter, the 2d Bomb Wing frequently deployed to SAC bases, primarily in the United Kingdom on Operation Reflex deployments where it came under control of the 7th Air Division. The limited range of the B-47 made it critical to locate it close to bases near Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union in case of war. With the phaseout of the B-47 beginning in the early 1960s, the Wing moved to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana in 1963 where it was reequipped with B-52s and remains to this day.
The 308th Bomb Wing was a second B-47 Wing assigned to Hunter. The 308th deployed primarily to SAC bases in Morocco on Reflex deployments where it came under the control of the 5th Air Division. The closing of USAF bases in Morocco in 1959 led to the wing being reassigned to Plattsburgh AFB, New York as a KC-97 Stratofreighter wing, and later as a Titan II Strategic Missile Wing at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas in 1962.

On 11 March 1958, a B-47E which departed Hunter on a simulated combat mission accidentally dropped a Mark 6 fission bomb minus its nuclear component near Florence, South Carolina.[8] A home was destroyed and several people were injured.[9] The aircraft was taking part in Operation Snow Flurry at the time of the incident.[10]

Military Air Transport Service

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The phaseout of SAC Medium Bomber (B-47 Wings) in the early 1960s resulted in SAC leaving Hunter in 1963. The base was reassigned to the Military Air Transport Service (MATS). The MATS Eastern Transport Air Force 63d Troop Carrier Wing, Heavy was assigned to Hunter from Donaldson AFB, South Carolina which was closing. From Hunter, the 63d flew the C-124 Globemaster II intercontinental cargo aircraft to points around the world.

Air Defense Command

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Beginning in 1955 Air Defense Command designated Hunter AFB as part of a planned deployment of forty-four Phase I Mobile Radar stations. It was one of twenty-nine stations which were sited around the perimeter of the country to support the permanent ADC network of seventy-five stations. The ADC radar site at Hunter was given designation M-112.

On 1 March 1955 the 702d Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron began operating AN/MPS-7, AN/TPS-10D, and AN/MPS-14 radars at Hunter, and initially the station functioned as a Ground-Control Intercept (GCI) and warning station. As a GCI station, the squadron's role was to guide interceptor aircraft toward unidentified intruders picked up on the unit's radar scopes. From 1956 to 1958, an AN/GPS-3 also saw service. By 1959 only AN/FPS-20A and AN/MPS-14 sets were operating. Circa 1961 Hunter received an AN/FPS-26 height-finder radar.

During late 1961 Hunter AFB joined the Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system, feeding data to DC-09 at Gunter AFB, Alabama. After joining, the squadron was re-designated as the 702d Radar Squadron (SAGE) on 1 February 1962. The radar squadron provided information 24/7 the SAGE Direction Center where it was analyzed to determine range, direction altitude speed and whether or not aircraft were friendly or hostile. Later that year, the AN/FPS-20A was upgraded to become an AN/FPS-67, and on 31 July 1963, the site was redesignated as NORAD ID Z-112. The AN/FPS-67 was upgraded to an AN/FPS-67B in 1966, and the AN/MPS-14 was removed in 1968.

In addition to the main facility, Air Defense Command at Hunter operated three unmanned AN/FPS-18 Gap Filler sites:

When Hunter AFB was transferred to the US Army in 1967 becoming Hunter Army Airfield, the radar site was renamed Savannah Air Force Station (AFS) . The 702nd Radar Squadron continued routine operations for many years, and, the equipment at the station was upgraded or modified to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the information gathered by the radars.

The station was deactivated on 5 June 1979.

United States Army Airfield

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Japanese Air Force One at Hunter Army Airfield in 2004.

In 1964, the Department of Defense announced that the base would be closed, along with 94 other military installations. The Air Force was given a period of three years to phase out operations.

In December 1966, at the height of the Vietnam War, the Department of the Army announced that the Secretary of Defense had approved an increase in the number of Army helicopter pilots to be trained. At the time, the United States Army Aviation School at Fort Rucker, Alabama was operating at capacity and additional facilities were needed. Hunter Air Force Base was turned over to the Army and operated in conjunction with Fort Stewart, located 45 miles (72 km) southwest of Hunter.

Brigadier General Frank Meszar, Commanding General of Fort Stewart, formally accepted the base from Colonel James A. Evans Jr., Commander of Hunter AFB, in a formal change of command and service ceremony on 1 April 1967, at which point the facility was renamed Hunter Army Air Field (Hunter AAF). The headquarters of the Army Aviation School Element moved to Hunter from Fort Stewart, where it had been established during the summer of 1966. The element's mission was to coordinate the training of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aviators as an extension of the Army's training programs at Fort Rucker and Fort Wolters, Texas.

On 28 July 1967, the combined facilities of Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield were re-designated the United States Army Flight Training Center. Included was the Attack Helicopter Training Department ("Cobra Hall"), the Army's first attack helicopter school whose purpose was to train pilots in the AH-1G Cobra, the world's first purpose-built attack helicopter. The first class of Republic of Vietnam Air Force students began Advanced helicopter training at Hunter on 13 March 1969. As the number of Vietnamese flight students increased, flight training for U.S. Army officers and warrant officers at Hunter was gradually phased out, ending on 16 June 1970.

In 1973, Hunter AAF was deactivated, but it was later reopened in 1975, serving as a support facility for the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized), at Fort Stewart. The 24th Infantry Division, or Victory Division, became part of the nation's Rapid Deployment Force on 1 October 1980. The Victory Division's ability to deploy on short notice was enhanced by its large runway (the Army's longest runway east of the Mississippi River), Savannah's deep-water port facility and excellent rail and road networks.

Military jet and turboprop aircraft based at Moody AFB, Robins AFB, Dobbins ARB and Savannah ANGB in Georgia; NAS Jacksonville and Jacksonville ANGB in Florida; and MCAS Beaufort, Charleston AFB and Shaw AFB in South Carolina also continue to make regular use of Hunter AAF's long runway for local training, to include practice approaches and landings.

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Hunter Army Airfield

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Hunter Army Airfield is a major installation located in , serving as the aviation hub and sub-post of , home to the 3rd Infantry Division (Marne Division). Spanning approximately 5,400 acres in Chatham County, it supports rapid for national defense objectives through airlift, training, and logistical operations. In 1927, the City of Savannah purchased 900 acres to establish the Savannah Airport; the site saw its first aircraft landing on September 20, 1929, inaugurating brief commercial service that ended due to the Great Depression. Renamed Hunter Field in 1940, it was selected by the U.S. Army Air Corps as a bomber training base, expanding rapidly during World War II to train units like the 3rd and 27th Bomb Groups, peaking at 10,000 personnel by 1943. Post-war, it reverted to civilian use until 1950, when it became Hunter Air Force Base under Strategic Air Command, hosting bomb wings for nuclear deterrence during the Cold War, including B-47 operations during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1967, following a period as a transport base, it was transferred to the and renamed Hunter Army Airfield, focusing on pilot training for the , where it prepared over 11,000 aviators from 1967 to 1972. Reopened in 1974 as an Army sub-post of , HAAF has since evolved into a joint-service facility supporting the 3rd Infantry Division's global deployments, including key roles in the War on Terror since 2001. Today, HAAF hosts the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, elements of the (1st ), the 15th Air Support Operations Squadron (U.S. ), and various tenant units such as the 63rd Expeditionary Signal and the 103rd and Electronic Warfare , serving a population of approximately 5,000 active-duty personnel and families as of 2025, along with thousands of retirees in the area. The installation features 28 operational ranges covering 3,120 acres for training, modern runways for heavy-lift aircraft—including recent $53 million renovations—and facilities like Winn Army Community Hospital at , enabling seamless integration of air, ground, and joint operations along the East Coast. Its strategic location near major highways (I-95, I-16, U.S. 17) and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport enhances its role as a vital platform for U.S. forces in Europe, the , and beyond.

Location and Facilities

Geographical Setting

Hunter Army Airfield is situated at coordinates 32°00′36″N 081°08′44″W, with an elevation of approximately 13 meters (43 feet) above . The installation lies within the city limits of , roughly 7 miles southwest of downtown, providing convenient access to urban amenities while serving as a key aviation hub for operations. As a subordinate facility to , it is located about 40 miles northeast of the main post in Hinesville, facilitating integrated training and logistical support across the two sites. The airfield occupies coastal plain terrain typical of southeastern Georgia, featuring low-lying landscapes with significant wetlands, forested areas, and proximity to the Little Ogeechee River. This geography, part of the broader , includes swampy and pastoral elements that influence site management and environmental conservation efforts. The region's , characterized by high humidity and warm temperatures, poses operational challenges, such as accelerated on aircraft components that necessitates enhanced preventive maintenance and more frequent inspections compared to arid environments. Originally acquired by the City of Savannah in through the purchase of 900 acres of woods, pasture, and swamp land south of the city, the site has since expanded significantly to encompass over 5,400 acres. These expansions incorporated additional wetlands and forested tracts, supporting diverse ecological features while accommodating military infrastructure growth. The airfield's development reflects a balance between operational needs and preservation of the surrounding . Hunter Army Airfield integrates closely with the local community through shared airspace with Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, approximately 10 miles to the northwest, where joint procedures ensure safe operations and include designated noise abatement zones to reduce impacts on nearby residential areas. The installation employs approximately 4,400 active-duty personnel and supports related roles, bolstering the regional in Chatham County with direct and indirect job opportunities tied to base activities. This economic footprint underscores the airfield's role in sustaining local employment and services, including brief support for 3rd Infantry Division deployments.

Infrastructure

The primary runway at Hunter Army Airfield, designated 10/28, measures 11,375 feet (3,467 meters) in length and 197 feet (60 meters) in width, constructed of asphalt and designed to support heavy such as the C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III. This runway enables rapid deployment operations, with documented use for loading and unloading large cargo including armored vehicles and rotary-wing aircraft. The airfield's parking spans approximately 350 acres, providing capacity for over 130 fixed-wing and rotary-wing simultaneously, facilitating efficient staging for units. Key support buildings include the Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group (A/DACG) facility, which manages passenger and cargo processing, along with multiple hangars dedicated to maintenance and repair. Fuel storage infrastructure consists of above-ground tanks with a combined capacity exceeding 2 million gallons, supporting alongside refueling for operational . on the installation accommodate personnel, integrated with broader Fort Stewart-Hunter housing resources. Support systems encompass an (ILS) for 10/28, precision approach radar for guided landings, and dedicated fire and rescue stations to ensure airfield safety. Recent upgrades in the 2020s include LED retrofits for and taxiway lighting, enhancing energy efficiency and visibility while monitored by local utilities for the installation. Environmental features include over 1,600 acres of managed tidal wetlands and conservation areas, supporting such as the through habitat restoration and compliance with federal regulations.

Current Operations

Tenant Units

The primary tenant unit at Hunter Army Airfield is the 3rd (CAB) "Falcon" of the 3rd Infantry Division, which provides rotary-wing aviation support and is headquartered at the airfield along with its "Talons." The brigade includes the 2nd , 3rd Aviation (General Support Aviation ) "Knighthawks," equipped with UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters for transport and assault operations. Additional elements under the 3rd CAB at Hunter include the 3rd Squadron, for reconnaissance, the 4th , 3rd Aviation , and the 603rd Aviation Support . The U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Savannah operates from Hunter Army Airfield, maintaining five MH-65 Dolphin helicopters for search-and-rescue, maritime law enforcement, and port security missions in support of the Seventh Coast Guard District. Special operations forces at the airfield include the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, a light infantry unit specializing in direct action raids and airfield seizures, which utilizes Hunter for training and rapid deployment. The 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) (Airborne), known as the "Night Stalkers," is also based there and flies modified MH-60 Black Hawk and MH-47 Chinook helicopters for special operations insertions and extractions. Other tenants encompass elements of the 224th Battalion for intelligence support, select components of the 188th Brigade, and rotational units such as the 24th Finance Battalion. The 15th Air Support Operations Squadron (U.S. ) provides coordination. The 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion handles signal operations, and the 103rd and Electronic Warfare Battalion supports intelligence and electronic warfare missions. The airfield supports approximately 5,500 active-duty, reserve, and civilian personnel as of 2025. The installation falls under the U.S. Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, commanded by Gabe Weaver since July 2025, with Marcus Marzett as the senior enlisted advisor.

Missions and Activities

Hunter Army Airfield serves as a critical hub for support to the 3rd Infantry Division, facilitating rapid deployments such as the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade's rotation to U.S. in September 2025. This includes operations for personnel and equipment to regions like , enhancing the division's readiness for multinational missions. Additionally, the airfield supports insertions through dedicated parachute training and maintenance capabilities, bolstered by the Hunter Army Airfield Support Act of 2024, which authorizes construction of a consolidated rigging facility for airborne operations. Training activities at the airfield emphasize rotary-wing qualifications and aerial gunnery, with the completing brigade-wide aerial gunnery exercises in September 2024 to maintain proficiency. Parachute operations are integral, supported by the aforementioned facility to enable safe and efficient airborne insertions for forces. Recent exercises include a series of monthly energy resilience drills throughout 2025, preparing for the large-scale event to ensure operational continuity during power disruptions. In March 2025, the U.S. Corps of Engineers conducted soil sampling at the airfield to gather data for upcoming construction projects, supporting long-term infrastructure enhancements. The airfield's deployment capabilities allow it to manage surges of over 100 aircraft, accommodating large-scale operations for both combat and humanitarian responses, such as evacuations and aid delivery during hurricanes in the Southeast U.S. It coordinates with the to manage civilian air traffic near Savannah International Airport, ensuring seamless joint operations. Security measures include gate access adjustments implemented in November 2025, with the indefinite closure of Gates 2 and 4B at due to staffing shortages, effective November 16, 2025, alongside electronic signage on nearby highways to enhance traffic safety and base security.

Historical Development

Founding and Pre-WWII Era

The Savannah Municipal Airport, now known as Hunter Army Airfield, was established through the joint purchase by the City of Savannah and Chatham County of a 730-acre tract of land known as the Belmont tract from J. C. Lewis in 1928 for $30,000. The site, located approximately three miles south of the city limits, consisted of woods, pasture, and swamp, and was graded with 400,000 cubic yards of sand and planted with Bermuda grass to create a 4,500-foot by 3,500-foot landing area without paved runways. The airport officially opened on September 20, 1929, with the landing of a Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker inaugurating passenger and mail service by between and , marking the beginning of in the region. In its early years, the airport served as a hub for municipal , hosting exhibitions and supporting the resumption of intrastate air service by Eastern Airlines in 1931 after the initial carrier folded amid the . Expansion efforts in included the construction of Wilson Boulevard in and significant improvements funded by the (WPA) and the city, totaling $166,000 in 1936, which rebuilt drainage systems, erected a metal , and replaced the grass field with three asphalt runways. A permanent municipal building, serving as an administration facility and control tower, was completed between 1939 and 1940. The airfield was renamed Hunter Municipal Airfield on May 19, 1940, during Savannah Aviation Week, in honor of Hunter, a Savannah native and credited with nine aerial victories while serving in the . Prior to U.S. entry into , the facility saw occasional use by the U.S. Army Air Corps for training maneuvers, and in August 1940, it was selected as a training base, prompting lease negotiations between city officials and the War Department that led to federal control by September 1940.

World War II Era

In early 1941, the U.S. Army Air Corps leased the existing municipal Hunter Field in , activating it as Savannah Army Air Base to support the expanding war effort. Construction proceeded rapidly, with over 220 facilities built within nine months, including capable of housing up to 6,000 personnel, warehouses, a , and aircraft hangars. This transformation turned the airfield into a key training hub for the Army Air Forces, accommodating the surge in aviation needs following the ' entry into . During the war, Savannah Army Air Base served as a primary site for diverse training missions essential to Allied air operations. It hosted antisubmarine patrols along the Atlantic coast, utilizing B-25 Mitchell bombers to counter German U-boat threats off Georgia's shores and contribute to coastal defense efforts that rendered the area too hazardous for submarine activity by late 1943. Fighter pilot training was conducted with P-40 Warhawk , particularly by units like the 85th Fighter Group, which operated from the base starting in June 1942 and prepared aircrews through replacement training unit exercises until its disbandment in May 1944. Additionally, the base supported bombardier schools as part of its broader role in light and medium bombardment training, equipping crews for combat in theaters such as , the Pacific, and China-Burma-India. Early units like the 3rd and 27th Bombardment Groups trained there with A-20 and B-18 bombers before deploying overseas. Operations peaked by 1942, with the base accommodating over 100 aircraft and expanding its personnel to more than 10,000 by 1943. It hosted significant units, including the 85th Fighter Group for dive bomber and fighter transition training and the 396th Bombardment Group for final combat crew preparation in B-17 Flying Fortresses before their deployment to . In 1943, the airfield expanded from its original 900 acres to nearly 3,000 acres, adding runways, parking aprons, and additional cantonments to handle the increased workload, including processing thousands of aircraft and over 70,000 combat crew members through its staging operations from February 1943 to May 1945. Following Japan's surrender in , Savannah Air Base transitioned to processing returning aircraft and personnel. It was officially deactivated in June 1946 and returned to the City of Savannah as Hunter Field, with surplus military buildings repurposed for civilian aviation and industrial use until the airfield's reactivation in later years.

Air Force Era

In 1950, following post-World War II demobilization and the onset of the , Hunter Field was reactivated by the U.S. Air Force as Hunter Air Force Base and assigned to the (SAC) under . The base became the home of the 2nd Bombardment Wing, which initially operated bombers before transitioning to medium bombers in the mid-1950s, along with KC-97 Stratofreighters for . This reactivation supported SAC's mission of strategic nuclear deterrence, with the wing achieving combat-ready status and nuclear capability by 1954 as part of the 38th Air Division. The 308th Bombardment Wing joined the 2nd Wing at Hunter in 1952, also equipped with B-47 Stratojets, operating from separate apron areas to conduct medium bombardment training and operations through the 1950s. SAC activities at the base emphasized nuclear alert missions, including Reflex deployments where B-47s were forward-stationed in the and from 1958 to 1963 for rapid response to potential Soviet threats. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, Hunter hosted up to 60 B-47s on heightened 3 alert status. A notable incident occurred on March 11, 1958, when a B-47 from the 2nd Wing accidentally released a —lacking its core—over Mars Bluff, , during a training flight; the conventional explosives detonated on impact, creating a crater but causing no nuclear release, with minor injuries and reported. In April 1963, SAC transferred control of Hunter to the (MATS), redesignating it as a primary under the 63rd Troop Carrier Wing, which operated approximately 60 aircraft for global troop and cargo airlifts. The wing supported key operations, including resupply missions to , humanitarian aid during the 1965 intervention, and recovery efforts for NASA's Gemini space capsules in the Atlantic. At its peak under MATS, the base employed over 4,300 personnel, reflecting its expanded role in logistical sustainment during escalating commitments. Infrastructure upgrades during the Air Force era accommodated jet operations and growth, including a $24.5 million runway reconstruction project in 1951 that extended the primary to support B-47 takeoffs and landings, alongside new hangars, , family housing, and 15 ammunition storage igloos completed between 1953 and 1957. These enhancements, totaling millions in investments, transformed the former WWII training facility into a modern strategic asset capable of handling and transport fleets. Hunter Air Force Base was deactivated in 1967 as part of Department of Defense base realignment efforts announced in 1964, amid reductions in SAC requirements and shifting priorities; operations wound down progressively after the MATS transfer, with facilities handed over to the U.S. that July.

Army Era

In 1967, the U.S. transferred control of Hunter Field to the U.S. Army, which renamed it Hunter Army Airfield and integrated it with to form the U.S. Army Flight Training Center. This center focused on training rotary-wing pilots in UH-1 Huey helicopters and fixed-wing pilots, graduating 11,000 rotary-wing aviators and 4,328 fixed-wing pilots between 1967 and 1972, including 1,400 South Vietnamese aviators. The facility supported the Army's aviation expansion during the era, but training operations concluded in 1972 amid the U.S. military drawdown from Vietnam. Following the end of primary flight training, Hunter Army Airfield entered caretaker status in 1973 before reopening in 1974 to serve as a support base for the reactivated 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at . Throughout the and , the airfield provided logistical and support to the division, including maintenance for rotary-wing aircraft, as the Army shifted resources post-Vietnam to sustain readiness. By 1980, the 24th Infantry Division's designation as a mechanized unit further emphasized Hunter's role in enabling ground force mobility through assets. During the 1990s and 2000s, Hunter Army Airfield played a pivotal role in major deployments, serving as a staging hub for airlifts during the 1991 , where units from the 24th Infantry Division rapidly deployed from the base in response to Iraq's invasion of . In 2003, the airfield supported the 3rd Infantry Division's invasion of Iraq, facilitating the movement of aviation and ground forces that led the coalition's thrust to . A notable diplomatic milestone occurred in when Japanese Prime Minister arrived via Japanese Air Force One at Hunter for the G8 Summit on , highlighting the base's capacity for high-profile international operations. The 2010s brought expansions in integration, with the 1st Battalion, establishing a permanent presence at Hunter to enhance rapid deployment capabilities for elite forces. In 2015, the airfield commemorated its 75th anniversary with events recognizing its evolution from training base to a modern aviation hub, having supported over 70,000 troops in global conflicts since 2001. A key milestone came in 2010 with the base's 70th anniversary celebration, which underscored its transformation into a primary deployment hub for units. As of 2025, Hunter Army Airfield remains the home of the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, providing command, control, and sustainment for rotary- and fixed-wing operations in support of the 3rd Infantry Division, including ongoing enhancements for exercises and rapid global deployments. Ongoing efforts include (UXO) surveys and cleanup of World War II-era munitions to ensure safe operations and land use. Post-2010 (BRAC) adjustments have involved infrastructure realignments, such as expansions for child and youth services, to accommodate growing aviation and family support needs.

References

  1. https://home.army.mil/stewart/about/history/hunter-army-airfield-history
  2. https://www.army.mil/StewartHunter
  3. https://home.army.mil/stewart/application/files/7515/2051/7241/Final__EA__FNSI_for_Runway_Vegetative_Obstruction_Removal-HAAF_GA.pdf
  4. https://www.denix.osd.mil/awards/denix-files/sites/12/2021/03/2-Nomination-Narrative-Army-NRC-LI-FSHAAF_508C.pdf
  5. https://home.army.mil/stewart/units/tenant-units
  6. https://www.hunterarmyairfieldhousing.com/units
  7. https://www.denix.osd.mil/orap/denix-files/sites/31/2021/01/2019_GA421402273300_Hunter-Army-Air-Field.pdf
  8. https://winn.tricare.mil/About-Us/History
  9. https://www.army.mil/article/267566/53_million_airfield_renovations_underway_at_hunter_army_airfield
  10. https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/hunter-army-airfield
  11. https://www.airnav.com/airport/KSVN
  12. https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Savannah/Hunter-Army-Airfield
  13. https://mybaseguide.com/fort-stewart-and-hunter-army-airfield
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  17. https://veteran.com/bases/hunter-army-airfield/
  18. https://www.army.mil/article/240025/marne_air_soldiers_conduct_joint_air_load_training_at_hunter_army_airfield
  19. https://govtribe.com/opportunity/federal-contract-opportunity/goco-alongside-aircraft-refueling-services-spe60319r5x05
  20. https://home.army.mil/stewart/about
  21. https://d1c2gz5q23tkk0.cloudfront.net/assets/uploads/3824595/asset/Canoochee_EMC_Smart_Lighting.pdf?1723660973
  22. https://home.army.mil/stewart/about/Garrison/DPW/environmental/prevention-and-compliance/wetlands
  23. https://www.army.mil/article/280226/fort_stewart_hails_several_conservation_milestones
  24. https://home.army.mil/stewart/units/3rdCAB
  25. https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/military-installation/hunter-army-airfield/base-essentials/major-units
  26. https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/District-7/Units/Air-Station-Savannah/
  27. https://www.benning.army.mil/Tenant/75thRanger/1st-Battalion.html
  28. https://go160thsoar.com/160th-soar-night-stalkers-service/
  29. https://www.hunterarmyairfieldhousing.com/history
  30. https://www.army.mil/article/287256/weaver_takes_helm_of_usag_fort_stewart_hunter_army_airfield
  31. https://www.dvidshub.net/image/8826367/fort-stewart-hunter-army-airfiled-welcome-new-garrison-command-sgt-major
  32. https://www.army.mil/article/288308/3rd_combat_aviation_brigade_cases_colors_for_eucom_2025_rotation
  33. https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoffs-bill-to-strengthen-national-security-at-hunter-army-airfield-becomes-law/
  34. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4509/text
  35. https://www.dvidshub.net/video/937324/3rd-infantry-division-aerial-gunnery
  36. https://www.facebook.com/FortStewartHunterArmyAirfield/videos/fort-stewart-hunter-army-airfield-is-launching-a-series-of-monthly-energy-resili/634411642956795/
  37. https://www.sas.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Stories/Article/4138775/usace-drill-team-conducts-soil-sampling-at-hunter-army-airfield-for-future-cons/
  38. https://www.army.mil/article/226693/army_personnel_help_evacuate_prepare_for_recovery_ops_in_wake_of_hurricane_dorian
  39. https://www.wtoc.com/2025/11/03/fort-stewart-gate-access-adjust-this-month-due-staffing-shortages/
  40. https://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/GA-02-21.2
  41. https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/public-use-airports/
  42. https://www.gaaviationhalloffame.com/hall-of-fame/?no_cache=1&tx_providersearch_providersearchfe%5Bprovider%5D=3387&tx_providersearch_providersearchfe%5Baction%5D=show&tx_providersearch_providersearchfe%5Bcontroller%5D=Provider&cHash=d901d613259d70da93b673b05ef6f5d0
  43. https://www.nps.gov/articles/h-our-history-lesson-hunter-army-airfield-in-savannah-and-chatham-county-georgia-wwii-heritage-city.htm
  44. https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/u-boat-attacks-during-world-war-ii/
  45. https://www.armyaircorpsmuseum.org/85th_Fighter_Group.cfm
  46. https://www.army.mil/article/39095/70th_anniversary_of_hunter_army_airfield_the_history_of_hunter_army_airfield
  47. https://www.texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org/hallofhonor/roberts.htm
  48. https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/government-politics/fort-stewart/
  49. https://www.3rdattackgroup.org/savannah-army-air-base.php
  50. https://www.barksdale.af.mil/Units/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/320182/2nd-bomb-wing-history/
  51. https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/434014/308-armament-systems-wing-afmc/
  52. https://thebulletin.org/2014/03/accidents-will-happen-an-excerpt-from-command-and-control/
  53. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA149212.pdf
  54. https://www.nytimes.com/1964/11/20/archives/list-of-the-us-military-installations-affected-by-secretary.html
  55. https://stewartandhunter.com/history/
  56. https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/06/images/20040608-8_hw9v0530-772v.html
  57. https://suaspontefoundation.org/history/
  58. https://www.savannahnow.com/story/news/2015/05/20/hunter-army-airfield-marks-75-years/13583937007/
  59. https://home.army.mil/stewart/8317/4664/5831/Final_PEA_MnT_RED_5MAY25.pdf
  60. https://comptroller.war.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/fy2010/fy2010_c1.xls
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