Aeródromo de la Presa Falcón

Military Conversion for Security Operations. The primary reason for the airfield's closure was its strategic conversion into a permanent military base for the Mexican Army (SEDENA - Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional). In the late 2000s and early 2010s, Ciudad Mier and the surrounding region of Tamaulipas experienced extreme levels of violence and control by the Los Zetas cartel, leading to a mass exodus of the local population. As part of the Mexican government's strategy to regain control of the territory, the decision was made to establish a strong, permanent military presence. The airfield's location was ideal for a new barracks, providing strategic access to the border and surrounding highways.

The site has been completely and permanently repurposed. It is now the location of the 'Cuartel Militar de Mier' (Mier Military Barracks). Satellite imagery clearly shows that the former runway and airfield grounds are now occupied by extensive military infrastructure, including barracks, administrative buildings, vehicle depots, parade grounds, and fortified perimeter security. The former runway is partially obstructed by these new structures and is no longer usable for aviation. The base is an active and key installation for the Mexican Army's operations in the region.

The airfield, named 'Aeródromo de la Presa Falcón' (Falcon Dam Airstrip), was historically linked to the Falcon Dam, a major international dam and reservoir on the Rio Grande co-managed by the US and Mexico. Its operations likely included:
- **Logistical Support:** Supporting the construction (1950-1954) and ongoing maintenance of the Falcon Dam and its hydroelectric power plants.
- **General Aviation:** Serving as a general aviation facility for the small city of Ciudad Mier and the surrounding rural area. This would have included private aircraft, air taxi services, and agricultural aviation (crop dusting).
- **Government Use:** Used by government agencies such as the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) or Mexico's Comisión Nacional del Agua (CONAGUA) for flights related to dam inspection and water management.
It was a small, unpaved utility airstrip and never handled scheduled commercial passenger flights.

None. There are no plans or prospects for the site to reopen as an airport. Its conversion into a strategic and permanent military installation is irreversible. The significant investment in military infrastructure and the ongoing security importance of the base preclude any possibility of it reverting to civilian aviation use.