July 2018

262 263 STILLWATER REGIONAL AIRPORT started by Guthrie became the 90th College Training Detachment, including 200 students who received 10 hours of basic flight instruction. Many of those pilots went on to advanced Air Force schools around the country. Eventually over 1,500 pilots trained in Stillwater. The U.S. Navy leased Searcy Field beginning in 1942, and for an additional six months following the end of World War II, when the airport became a holding ground for 475 planes that served various purposes in Europe and nationwide. In December, 1946 the City of Stillwater re- quested the U.S. Navy terminate its lease with Searcy Field and return it to Stillwater ownership. In 1949, OAMC took charge of the airport at a cost of $1 for a period of twenty five years.When the 25-year lease ended in 1974, a new lease agreement authorized the college to operate the airport for five additional years. In 1977, Searcy Field became Stillwater Municipal Airport, which then became Stillwater Regional Airport in 1999. Today, the Airport is operated by the Stillwater Regional Airport Authority, and its Director is Gary Johnson, who first assumed the post in 1986. Today, Stillwater Regional Airport functions mainly as a general aviation, military, and corpo- rate airport, serving private pilots and businesses in North-Central Oklahoma. Of the 109 airports across the state, it has been ranked the fourth busiest airport in Oklahoma for the past four years. “We have approximately 80,000 operations a year,” says Johnson, “with more than 95 percent of that being general aviation and corporate. A large percentage is flight training, but multiple Stay minutes from SWO, OSU and downtown Stillwater! 615 S. Country Club Road, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 74074, USA TEL: +1-405-332-5575 FAX: +1-405-332-5580 Experience our warm and friendly cowboy hospitality when visiting Hampton Inn & Suites Stillwater West/ Airport. This new hotel is located within minutes of Stillwater’s Regional Airport and Oklahoma State. We offer free WIFI, a shuttle, hot complimentary breakfast and large spacious rooms! l Convenient location for dining, business and sightseeing l Microwaves and mini-refrigerators in every room l Brand new ‘Forever Young’ property l 800 sq. ft. meeting and event space l Spacious rooms and excellent service l Work station and lap desk in every room l Free hot breakfast l Clean and fresh Hampton bed® l Free WiFi in every room l Gym/fitness center use Included in Every Stay Making you happy makes us happy. So, if we can make your stay better, talk to any member of our team, and we’ll make sure you’re 100% happy. GUARANTEED.™ The Hampton Inn & Suites Stillwater West is located within minutes of Oklahoma State University, Stillwater Regional Airport, and other Oklahoma landmarks. Whether you’re in town for a game, alumni meeting, or just passing through, you can experience its warm and friendly Oklahoma cowboy hospitality. With free hot breakfast daily, you can start your day on the right foot. Even if you’re in a hur- ry, you have time to grab Hampton’s On the Run Breakfast Bags, available Monday through Friday. After a busy day, you can relax in one of its 88 spacious rooms or suites on a clean and fresh Hampton bed. Catch up on your favorite shows on the 42-inch HDTV and stay connected to work and family with free WiFi in every room. Get work done from the comfort of your room at the large work desk with ergonomic chair and convenient lap desk. Spend time at the outdoor seasonal pool. Get in a complete workout in the fitness center with a treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical, and free weights. Plan a small meeting, reunion or group training in the 800-sq.-ft. meeting space. The Stillwater West hotel is a Hampton ‘Forever Young’ property so you’ll find additional outlets for charging all your devices, strong WiFi throughout, and casual places to socialize within the hotel. Hampton Inn and Suites West/Airport