National Air and Space Museum
Expeditionary Airfield System (Portable Airport)
October 1, 1986 – Closed
On view are sections of aluminum matting used as a runway that is part of a portable expeditionary airfield system developed by the U.S. Marine Corps in the 1950s. The airport system features other portable items not on view— fuel tanks, air traffic control towers, control systems, and personnel facilities—all of which can be transported and deployed within 3 days. The system was first used extensively during the 1960s in Vietnam. Also on view are photographs of the airport system fully deployed.
