🇺🇸 Quonset State Airport

Quonset State Airport (KOQU, IATA: NCO, FAA LID: OQU) is a joint civil-military public airport located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, on Quonset Point. It is a general aviation airport with no scheduled airline service.

Type of Facility and Operations: The airport is owned by the Rhode Island Airport Corporation and is open to the public. It features an operating non-federal air traffic control tower (closed on Mondays) and a Precision Instrument Landing System managed by the FAA. It has two asphalt runways: 16/34, measuring 7,504 x 150 feet, and 5/23, measuring 4,000 x 75 feet. For the 12-month period ending April 30, 2022, the airport had 19,400 aircraft operations, with 50% general aviation, 44% military, and 6% air taxi.

Notable Features or History: Quonset State Airport was formerly Naval Air Station Quonset Point from 1941 until the early 1970s. It remains the home of the Quonset Point Air National Guard Station, which houses the 143d Airlift Wing (143 AW) of the Rhode Island Air National Guard, flying C-130J Hercules aircraft. The Rhode Island Army National Guard also maintains an Army Aviation Support Facility for the 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, operating UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. In May 2021, Air Force One, carrying President Joe Biden, landed at Quonset State Airport.

Current Status: Quonset State Airport is operational and categorized as a regional reliever facility in the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2023–2027. It is one of six active airports operated by the Rhode Island Airports Corporation. The airport currently has 21 based aircraft, including 8 single-engine, 1 jet, and 12 military aircraft. There is an active construction notice for the airport.

*Sources researched: flyquonsetairport.com, en.wikipedia.org, nfdc.faa.gov, airnav.com*