Casper/Natrona County International Airport Is Flying High
Casper/Natrona County International Airport fulfills an expansive role in the life of Central Wyoming's residents.
Sponsored by: Casper/Natrona County International Airport
When pondering an airport, the mind often conjures images of small private planes, business jets and the familiar scenes of parents jetting off for work or reuniting with grandparents during holidays. Yet, the Casper/Natrona County International Airport in Casper, WY, transcends these conventional notions, unfolding as a multifaceted nexus of history, commerce and service.
To truly grasp the essence of the airport today, one must journey back to its inception in 1942 as the Army Air Base, Casper. Functioning as a training ground for B-17 and B-24 heavy bombers during World War II, the base ceased operations in 1945, eventually transitioning to civilian use under Natrona County’s auspices in 1949.
Sprawling across 5,150 acres, with nearly half dedicated to agriculture – primarily grazing and haying – the Casper/Natrona County International Airport is an integral supporter of Wyoming’s agrarian economy. Facilitating aerial applications that encompass seeding, fertilization and crop protection, it plays a crucial role in sustaining the state’s agricultural endeavors.
Astonishingly, remnants of the airport’s wartime past endure, with 115 original WWII-era buildings still standing proudly. Among these are the base theater, four bomber hangars, an original fire department, the hospital district and the enlisted man’s club – now home to the Wyoming Veterans Museum. Recognized as the best-preserved WWII Army Air Base, the site earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
Beyond its historical significance, the airport is a bustling hub of activity, supporting over 40 businesses. While some, like car rental agencies and the Federal Aviation Administration, align with typical airport functions, others – Inter-Mountain Pipe and Threading, Sage Truck Driving School, Wyoming Precast Products, XPO Logistics, and VRC Casper – operate in less conventional realms. Together, the airport supports 1,203 jobs in Natrona County, generating an annual economic impact of $145,879,000.
Whether directly utilizing the airport or not, its influence resonates throughout Central Wyoming. Boasting the cutting-edge Wyoming Regional Aircraft Fire Fighting training center, the airport trains aircraft firefighters from across the Rocky Mountain West. Annually, over 100 firefighters participate in live aircraft fire exercises conducted in Casper.
Serving as Wyoming’s sole designated port of entry, the U.S. Customs office at the airport clears more than 500 aircraft annually, including business executives, celebrities, politicians and vital equipment supporting the state’s economy. Casper welcomes aircraft direct from countries as diverse as Austria, Belgium, England, India, Japan, Romania, Saudi Arabia and Switzerland.
The airport’s significance extends to the realm of cargo, with operations from UPS and Amazon, and a central role as a FedEx hub. Sorting packages daily from Memphis, Tennessee, FedEx dispatches them by truck or aircraft to communities across Wyoming, Nebraska and Colorado. Furthermore, as the operator of the Foreign Trade Zone 157, the airport facilitates the duty-free import, storage and manufacturing of goods from other countries.
In a continual evolution, the airport is in the process of constructing a new Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) and Large Air Tanker (LAT) base for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service. Additionally, it supports Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs), such as DC-10s, when required.
The Casper/Natrona County International Airport’s commitment to community well-being is evident in its association with Wyoming Life Flight, a vital lifeline with fixed-wing and rotor-wing (helicopter) operations. Conducting three to five daily flight operations, Life Flight responds to emergencies and facilitates hospital transfers, including journeys to Children’s Hospital in Colorado.
Operating tirelessly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the Casper/Natrona County International Airport transcends conventional perceptions. It is not merely an airstrip; it is a dynamic entity weaving together history, commerce and service to fulfill an expansive role in the life of Central Wyoming. The airport embodies the mantra – it is more than what you think.