Military

Libby Army Airfield

Libby Army Airfield is unique to the Army because it is used jointly by military and civilian activities. The runways, taxies, navigation aids, and Air Traffic Control are shared by military and civilian aircraft. Civilian operations are concentrated on the north side of the airfield, accessible directly from Arizona State Route 90. Military operations are concentrated on the south side of the airfield, accessible on Fort Huachuca from Brainard Road, Gerstner Road, and Arizona Street. Civilian aviation activities at the airfield are under the auspices of the City of Sierra Vista by agreement with the Department of the Army.

Airfield facilities and services available to both military and civilian users include 24 hour crash/rescue, three lighted runways, Air Traffic Control, Approach Radar, Precision Approach Radar and Airport Surveillance radar. Available navigational aids are an Instrument Landing System, a Very High Frequency Omni Range and a Non-Directional beacon. the main runway is equipped with a Visual Approach Slope Indicator and the secondary runway is equipped with a Precision Approach Path Indicator.

Military Aircraft assigned to Libby Army Airfield include the RC-12 and C-12 fixed wing aircraft and the EH-60 and UH-1 rotary wing aircraft. The RC-12 and EH-60 aircraft are used by the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca for training Special Electronic Mission Aircraft pilots and crews. The C-12 and UH-1 aircraft are used for administrative flight support. Space available flights may be obtained by personnel who are authorized to fly on military aircraft.

Fort Huachuca is the U.S. Army's test and training center for sophisticated Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems that are on the cutting edge of aerial surveillance technology. The UAVs are flown from Libby as well as two UAV runways located approximately four miles west of Libby. These vehicles share the traffic pattern and airspace with military and civilian aircraft.

Military and government agencies that are permanently assigned to, or utilize Libby Army Airfield are: The U.S. Army Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca, the U.S. Army Electronic Proving Ground, the U.S. Army Operational Support Airlift Command, the U.S. Air Force Education and Training Command, the Arizona Air National Guard, the Missouri Air National Guard, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Customs Service. The commander of the 304th Military Intelligence (MI) Battalion is also the commander of Libby Army Airfield. The Airfield is operated by Company B (AVN), 304th MI Battalion, 111th MI Brigade. Weather observation and reporting are provided by the U.S. Air Force personnel assigned to Operating Location-C, 3d Weather Squadron. Flight Surgeon support for aviation personnel is provided by the Military Intelligence Community Care Clinic and Raymond W. Bliss Army Community Hospital.

In April 1995, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed and airfield renovation project which included repaving the main runway and lateral taxies, and the lighting of all runways. The $12 million project was funded by the U.S. Air Force.