Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph will host a ribbon cutting/open house ceremony on Friday, July 22, at 11am, to celebrate completion of the replacement of a runway serving both general aviation and the 139th Airlift Wing.

The Air National Guard Wing requires a minimum of 458 passes annually to remain short field qualified. The assault strip supports over 2,500 short landings/touch and go’s per year, which includes visitors who utilize the Advanced Airlift Tactical Training Center.

The runway replacement also gives Rosecrans Memorial Airport a standard day/nighttime instrument capable runway. This new construction will allow all users to utilize the facility in a more efficient manner.

The Assault Strip-Runway 13/31 construction was financed through a Military Cooperative Construction Agreement (MCCA) and the city of St. Joseph. The cost of the structure was $5,847,939, and was completed in approximately four months.