ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FROM ABOVE
The sky's the limit with a new military fueling contract
BY LELAND ACKER
The sound of Apache and Chinook helicopters flying into the Cherokee County Airport means economic development

PHOTO: CLINT GOFF, SKYWAYS AERO

for Cherokee County, said Clint Goff of Skyways Aero.

"We have a (new) contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to be a refueling stop, primarily for military helicopters," he said.

Mr. Goff said Skyways Aero, which operates at the Cherokee County Airport, finalized the contract last week. He said they will be refueling aircraft on both short and long range flights.

"Many will be flying from California to South Carolina - we could be a fuel stop for them," Mr. Goff said, adding that the Cherokee County Airport could be a fuel stop for military flights between the state's military bases.

Flights originating from Houston, Fort Hood, Fort Polk and Barksdale AFB may see their fuel gauges pointing towards "E" and choose to fill their 250-plus gallon tanks at Cherokee County Airport.

"This really allows us to sell the airport and Cherokee County," said Joe Casey, who owns Skyways Aero.

Helicopters like this Apache will soon fly in and out of Cherokee County Airport to refuel, thanks to a new military contract approved last week. Pilots will be offered a courtesy vehicle to drive to a nearby restaurant for a meal.

The benefit to the county is economic development from military personnel visiting the airport, said Mr. Goff.

"We're an uncontrolled airport, meaning we have no control tower," he said. "That makes it easier to get in and get out."

Mr. Goff said airmen can then use Skyways Aero's courtesy car and drive into town and eat at a restaurant or shop at local stores. He said most look for places where they can go to a good restaurant.

"If the food is good, they'll be back," Mr. Goff said. "They look for places to go. They are building flight time."

Mr. Casey crossed a lot of "t's" and dotted many "i's" during the year-long process to get the contract approved.

"Basically, we had to modify our fueling and delivery specifications to military specifications," he said. Personnel training was also required.

Mr. Casey said the fueling designation could be extremely important when Texas faces another drought like the summer of 2005. "Military helicopters were dispatched to help fight fires," said Mr. Casey. "Being able to re-fuel in Cherokee County could be a time-saving advantage in the future."

Mr. Goff said Skyways Aero was able to obtain the contract because their fuel is airlinequality jet fuel. He said the Cherokee County location is attractive because it is the southern most airport of the I-20 corridor with a refueling contract.

The contract is in effect and military aircraft have begun stopping in for fuel. The Cherokee County Airport will now be featured in flight publications that list fueling locations.