Business View Magazine November-December 2018

106 107 THE TERRE HAUTE REGIONAL AIRPORT munity. Cox Field’s U.S.Weather Bureau facilities and Civil Aeronautics Administration office was relocated to Hulman Field in 1946. In 1953, a new terminal and control tower were completed and the apron was expanded. In addition, Runway 5-23 was extended to 7,000 feet. In the early 1950s, a second airline, Delta C & S, began service. This service was short-lived and subsequently replaced by Lake Central Airlines in 1954. The Indiana Air National Guard established a base at the Airport in 1954, and the 113th Tactical Fighter Squadron, which is a part of the 181st Tactical Fighter Group, was stationed there. Cox Field continued to serve the community as a general aviation airport until its closure in De- cember of 1959. In the early 1960s, significant improvement projects were completed at the Air- port. In 1961, an ILS (Instrument Landing System) was commissioned, and in 1962 Runway 5-23 was extended to 9,025 feet. In 1964, Lake Cen- tral Airlines began replacing DC-3 aircraft with Convair 340s for passenger service. Early in 1965, TWA discontinued service to the Airport, but Lake Central increased service to fill the void left by TWA’s departure. Lake Central also began operat- ing DC-3s for cargo service. In 1968, Lake Central merged with Allegheny Airlines. Britt Airlines, operating as Allegheny Commuter, began serving the Airport in 1973 and based its headquarters at Hulman Field. Until 1976, the Airport was operated for the City of Terre Haute by a four-member board of aviation commission- ers. As the airport developed and its service area expanded, it became apparent that a more broad- based management organization was required. In 1976, the City of Terre Haute and Vigo County formed an Airport Authority, which is comprised of six members, with three members appointed by the Mayor and three members appointed by the Vigo County Commissioners. The FAA added advanced radar control systems and the terminal building was expanded by 1,500 square feet in 1977. Additions to the terminal building added 5,300 more square feet and Hulman Field’s name was changed to Hulman Regional Airport in 1981. Britt Airlines continued to operate in Terre Haute until the late 1980s when it was purchased and service was ultimately terminated. In 1998, the Airport’s name was changed from Hulman Regional Airport to Terre Haute Inter- national Airport –Hulman Field. The Airport’s secondary runway was extended to 7,200 feet in 1999. Airline service was provided by Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd. doing business as United Express from 1995 through the summer of 1999. In 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure commission mandated the end of the flying era at the Air National Guard Base. On September 8, 2007, the 181st Fighter Wing flew their last training mission, and on May 3, 2008, the 181st Fighter Wing was re-designated as the 181st Intelligence Wing. Today, The U.S. Air Force uses Hulman Field for worldwide command and control of remote control surveillance aircraft. In addition, Indiana State University uses the Airport for their aviation programs. The Terre Haute Regional Airport has 17 em- ployees. Its operating budget is generated by a combination of FAA Grants and its designation