History of Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport (KOSC)

The Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport stands on grounds with a nearly century-long legacy in military and civil aviation, deeply interwoven with the history of the Great Lakes region and the defense of the nation.

The Military Foundation: Camp Skeel and Wurtsmith Air Force Base (1923-1993)

The airport’s story beings in 1923 as Loud-Reames Aviation Field, a basic, soft-surface landing site established for the U.S. Army Air Corps aircraft deploying from Selfridge Field near Detroit.

1924 Camp Skeel

The site was officially renamed Camp Skeel in honor of World War I Pilot Captain Burt E. Skeel. During this era, it served primarily as a training camp and target range, notable hosting winter maneuvers where pilots landed ski-equipped aircraft on the frozen surface of Van Ettan Lake.

World War II Era

In 1942, Camp Skeel was significantly expanded with the construction of three hard-surface runways, marking its transformation into Oscoda Army Air Field (AAF). During World War II, the base served vital roles, including:

  • Protecting shipping lanes at Sault Ste. Marie and the Straits of Mackinac.

  • Hosting the training of the 332nd Fighter Group-the legendary Tuskegee Airmen- for a period in 1943.

The Cold War and the B-52s

The base was renamed Wurtsmith Air Force Base (AFB) in 1953 in honor of Michigan native Major General Paul B. Wurtsmith, a decorated World War II hero.

  • Initially a vital Air Defense Command (ADC) base, Wurtsmith’s mission shifted significantly in 1960 when it was transferred to the Strategic Air Command (SAC).

  • Wurtsmith became the home of the 379th Bombardment Wing (H), hosting nuclear-armed B-52 Stratofortress bombers and KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling squadrons. For over three decades, Wurtsmith AFB served as a critical asset, maintaining a constant state of readiness as the frontline defense during the Cold War.

Civilian Transition and Rebirth (1993-Present)

The 1991 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process marked the end of Wurtsmith’s military era, and the base officially closed on June 30, 1993.

1993: Public Airport Opens

Following the closure, the property was successfully repurposed. Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport (KOSC) officially opened as a public-use airport on December 1, 1993.

Modern Day

Today, the airport is managed by the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Authority (OWAA), a local government partnership dedicated to fostering economic growth in the region. Retaining one of the longest runways in the state (11,801 feet), KOSC is now a significant regional hub for:

  • Large-jet aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO).

  • General Aviation (GA) activities, including flight training and charter operations.

  • Corporate and industrial park development on the former base land.

The airport is a powerful testament to successful conversion, blending its deep military heritage with a dynamic future in civilian and commercial aviation.

Oscoda Wurtsmith Airport