Industrial Airpark
McMAHON - WRINKLE AIRPORT/AIRPARK
The City of Big Spring's McMahon-Wrinkle Airport/Airpark is located in the central area of Howard County on the southwest edge of the City of Big Spring and directly South of Interstate Highway 20.
Shortly after the start of World War II in 1942, the Big Spring Airport was transferred to the War Department to be used as a facility to train bombardiers. In 1946, after cessation of World War II, the base was deactivated and returned to use as a commercial airport with regularly scheduled service. In 1952, the municipal airport was again placed under the control of the Department of Defense and named Webb Air Force Base. Webb Air Force Base was closed in 1977. Since the closing in 1977, the airport has been the responsibility of the City of Big Spring. After the closing, approximate 184 acres of the Base property on the eastern side was sold to private groups, individuals, or transferred to Federal Agencies. The airport serves two major sectors; aviation and industrial users.
The Airfield is composed of two runways. The main runway, 17/35 is approximately 8,802 feet long, 100 feet wide, with 1,000 feet overruns. The crosswind runway, 6/24, is approximately 4,601 feet long and 75 feet wide. Both runways are equipped with medium intensity runway edge lights. Runway 17/35 has simplified short approach lighting.
The latest Master Plan of the Airport/Airpark was completed in 1999. Some of the long range goals and objectives for the Airport/Airpark developed in this plan are:
- Achieve optimum land use planning and development
- Plan for the maximum utilization and maintenance of facilities.
- Provide effective and efficient use of the City's resource in support of future development
- Improve Airport access to and from Interstate Highway 20
- Improve internal Vehicular circulation
- Develop tracts of land to serve both aviation and non-aviation industrial uses
Many local, national and international companies occupy facilities at the Airpark. These companies range from aviation related companies to large manufacturing facilities. Approximately 521 acres of unused land has been set aside for future industrial use.
A spur of Union Pacific Railroad provides rail access to the East Side of the Airpark with funds set aside each year for the maintenance of the spur. These are numerous sites available along the spur for future development.
Moore Development, the City of Big Spring and the Airpark Advisory Board are all committed to the future development of the Airpark.