| Brief History of Glynn County Airport Commission
- Glynco was originally developed as a United States Navy Blimp Base in
1943 and expanded to an aircraft/radar-training center in the early
1950's.
- In mid 1971, Delta Airlines commenced air service at the Glynco Naval
Air Station and continued service until early 1974 under a civilian
military joint use agreement.
- In April 1973, the Glynco Naval Air Station was declared surplus to
the needs of the Navy and the announcement was made that the Naval Base
would be de commissioned in late 1974.
- In early 1974, a nineteen (19) member "Glynco Steering Committee" was
formed to coordinate and plan for the conversion from military to
civilian use. The committee names are:
Ben T. Slade, III, Chairman, Dr. E.R. Jennings, Bernie Barnard, Frank
Deloach, Joe Isenberg, A.W. Jones, Jr., Hugh Langford, Mrs. Josephine
Wilkes, Jack Lissner, Joe Roberts, Rev. E.C. Tillman, Tom Morris
(Deceased), Richard Heller, Wright Parker, Mack Mattingly, Jack Warren,
Ken Tollison, Dr. John Teel, Fred Earl Wages, Gordon R. Davis, Jr., was
hired as the Glynco Reuse coordinator.
- On April 30,1975, Glynco was opened as a civilian airport. The federal
government deeded the airport property to Glynn County on July 1, 1975.
During the same year, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center was
located at Glynco.
- On December 18, 1980, the Airport Commission was established as and
agency of Glynn County to operate and develop the Brunswick-Golden Isles
Airport and the Malcolm B. McKinnon Airport.
- On June 1, 1981, Atlantic Southeast Airlines commenced air service to
Atlanta.
- In FY 1989, Glynn County taxpayers contributed $279,869 to the Glynn
County Airport Commission budget. In FY 1990, this contribution was
reduced to $14,327, and no funds have been since 1991.
- In August 1990, an airline agreement was executed with CCAir for
service Charlotte.
-In March 1991, the Airport Commission accepted an FAA grant of $125,447
for and Airport Noise Study at the Brunswick-Golden Isles Airport.
-In April 1991, Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 2311 crashed on April
5, 1991. CCAir terminated service to Charlotte.
-In June 1991, ASA marked 10 years of service to the Brunswick-Golden
Isles Airport.
- In January 1992, the current Gulfstream facility at Glynco was leased
to Georgia Pacific.
-On May 3, 1992, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds performed at
Brunswick-Golden Isles Airport.
- In July 1, 1992, American Eagle signed an airline agreement for
service to Raleigh.
- In February 1993, American Eagle terminated service to Raleigh.
-In August 1994, the Airport Commission accepted a Federal Grant to
resurface the entire runway and taxi ways at the Brunswick-Golden Isles
Airport at a project cost of approximately $1.5 million.
-In November 1994, the Board of Commissioners approved the Airport
Master Plan dated December 1992, for the incorporation into the Glynn
County Comprehensive Master Plan. The Board of Commissioners also voted
to change the Airport Commission appointment process.
-In December 1995, the Airport Commission made recommendations to the
Glynn County School Board on school site selection at Brunswick-Golden
Isles Airport.
- Gulfstream announced an employment increase from 87 to 130 in 1997 and
to start G-IV aircraft completions at Brunswick in January 1997.
- Over the last eight years, the Airport Commission has been responsible
for $3.25 million in FAA airport improvements and has achieved
self-sufficiency with a capital reserve.
- The St. Simon's Island Airport was named after Malcolm B. McKinnon who
was born in Brunswick Georgia on August 31, 1882 and died on November
30, 1937.
-Former Mayor of City of Brunswick
-Resided in Brunswick all of his life and attended public school here.
- It was during Mr. McKinnon's term as Mayor that the Brunswick-St.
Simons highway was planned and constructed, and he played a very
important part. He was a member of the Glynn County Board of
Commissioners, where he served for twelve years and for the ten years
prior to his death he was chairman of the Board.
- Mr. McKinnon was deeply interested in the Glynn County Airport, which
at the time of his death was nearing completion.
- Mr. McKinnon advocated a system of paved roads on the islands. The
highways at the time of his death were due largely to his initiative
work.
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