Peterson Airport

Riverbank, US πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Closed Airport

ICAO

US-11142

IATA

-

Elevation

158 ft

Region

US-CA

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: Not available

Local Code: Not available

Location: 37.723499Β° N, -120.889999Β° E

Continent: NA

Type: Closed Airport

Keywords: CA17

Terminal Information Not Available
Terminal arrivals and departures are only available for airports with scheduled commercial service and IATA codes.

External Links

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Airport Information

Technical Information

For Aviation Geeks

Designation Length Width Surface Status
E/W 2485 ft 40 ft ASPH Active

Airport Closure Information

Last updated: Jul 27, 2025
Closure Date

The airport was closed sometime between 1965 and 1968. It was still depicted as an active airfield on the 1965 San Francisco Sectional Chart but was absent from the 1968 edition, indicating its closure within that three-year window.

Reason for Closure

The closure was due to a cessation of military need. The airfield, known as Peterson Field, was built to serve the adjacent Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant (RAAP). As the operational requirements of the plant changed and scaled down in the late 1960s, the dedicated airfield was no longer considered necessary and was subsequently decommissioned along with other parts of the facility.

Current Status

The site of the former airport is now part of the Riverbank Industrial Complex, also known as the Riverbank Business Park. The original X-shaped runway pattern is still clearly visible from satellite imagery. However, the paved surfaces are no longer used for aviation and are in a state of disrepair. The area is actively used for industrial purposes, primarily for open-air storage of vehicles, large pipes, shipping containers, and other industrial materials. Several large industrial buildings have also been constructed on the former airfield grounds.

Historical Significance

Peterson Field was a military airfield constructed around 1942-1943 during World War II. Its sole purpose was to provide logistical support for the Riverbank Ordnance Plant (which later became the RAAP), a major producer of steel cartridge cases and other munitions. The airport handled military transport aircraft carrying personnel, high-priority cargo, and official visitors. It featured two paved 3,500-foot runways in an 'X' configuration, allowing for takeoffs and landings in multiple wind conditions. It remained an active military support field for over two decades through WWII, the Korean War, and into the Vietnam War era.

Reopening Prospects

There are no plans or prospects for reopening Peterson Airport. The land has been completely repurposed for industrial and commercial use by the City of Riverbank. The runways are obstructed, degraded, and would require complete reconstruction. Given the significant investment in the current industrial park and the proximity of other active airports like Modesto City-County Airport (KMOD), reopening the site for aviation is considered logistically and economically infeasible.

Nearby Airports

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Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.

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