Military Use

The Fort Smith Regional Airport is proud to be the home of the Arkansas Air National Guard 188th Wing at Ebbing Air National Guard Base.  Beginning in September 2024, Ebbing serves as the U.S. Air Force’s premier training site for international F-16 and F-35 fighter pilots.  The mission brings allied aircrews from around the world to Fort Smith. The airport is actively aiding the infrastructure to support this mission, including coordination with military and federal partners to ensure operational readiness.

The airport also supports training activity from other military units most notably the 314th Airlift Wing located at Little Rock Air Force Base (Jacksonville, AR). The base supports the only C-130 training function in the Department of Defense.