Arnold Field (Tennessee)

Arnold Field (FAA LID: M31) is a municipal public-use airport located two miles (3 km) northwest of the central business district of Halls, a town in Lauderdale County, Tennessee, United States.[1] The airport is named for a former Mayor, Sammie Arnold

Arnold Field
2006 USGS Photo
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerTown of Halls
ServesHalls, Tennessee
Elevation AMSL292 ft / 89 m
Coordinates35°54′12″N 089°23′50″W
Map
Arnold Field
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
18/36 4,700 1,433 Concrete
Statistics (1996)
Aircraft operations7,290
For the World War II use of the airport, see Dyersburg Army Air Base

The airport is operated on the grounds of the former Dyersburg Army Air Base. In the 1940s the Dyersburg Army Air Base was a training facility for World War II B-17 Flying Fortress bomber pilots and crews.

In 2007, Arnold Field is home to 15 general purpose aircraft and the Veterans' Museum.

Facilities and aircraft

Arnold Field covers an area of 29 acres (12 ha) which contains one concrete paved runway (18/36) measuring 4,700 x 75 ft (1,433 x 23 m). For the 12-month period ending December 3, 1996, the airport had 7,290 aircraft operations, an average of 19 per day: 99% general aviation and 1% military.[1]

Veterans' Museum
Uniform and document exhibits
Armored vehicle exhibit

Foundation and purpose

The Veterans' Museum, located on the site of the former air base, was built in 1997. It is owned and operated by The Dyersburg Army Air Base Memorial Association, a non-profit organization.

The purpose of the museum is the preservation and documentation of materials related to military activities from World War I to the Iraq War, as well as documenting the history of the air base itself.

RV parking is available at no charge and admittance to the museum is free. Electrical hookup is $10 per day.

Exhibits

The exhibits of the Veterans' Museum stem from donations by organizations and individuals.

Outside exhibits of the museum are an A-7 Corsair II and military vehicles.

The 8,900 ft2 (827 m2) indoor exhibition displays items ranging from military vehicle displays and uniforms to photographs, personal and official letters, diaries, technical publications, divisional histories, videos and other military memorabilia.

Murals painted by Ernie Berke and photographs of 72 crews are also displayed.

Special exhibits:

A-7 Corsair II in front of the Veterans' Museum
  • World War I – A complete uniform and field gear of local resident C.C Sumrow is from the collection of Tommy Simmons.
  • Memphis Belle Exhibit – The exhibit tells the story of the Memphis Belle, its crew, postwar history of the Belle, and a look at the Altus Crew who flew it to Memphis, Tennessee in 1946.
  • Home Front Exhibit – Pictures and uniforms of area veterans who served are on display. Also included in this exhibit are pictures of weddings where local ladies married soldiers in training at the Base.
  • At Home Exhibit – A living room looking like "at home" during the 1940s is shown. From the radio and the coal stove, to the buffet and other items, it provides a real look at rural homes.

Air shows

In irregular intervals, the museum organizes and houses air shows on Arnold Field.

Other facilities

The museum houses conference facilities for up to 50 people and the Sammie Arnold Lending Library, with books covering the topics documented in the museum.

References
  1. FAA Airport Form 5010 for M31 PDF, effective 2007-12-20
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