On June 4, 1935, a Curtis Robin monoplane named “Ole Miss” took off from Meridian’s airport. Some 100 onlookers observed this unheralded event.

When, 27 days later, the “Ole Miss” touched down at Meridian, she was greeted by 30,000 cheering people. Pilots Fred and Al Key had accomplished a non-stop endurance flight that totaled 653 hours 34 minutes. During this 52,320 mile flight, the “Ole Miss” used 6,000 gallons of gasoline and made 435 mid-air refueling contacts.

In 1955, pilot Fred Key flew the completely restored “Ole Miss” to Washington, DC, where it is now on permanent display in the National Air and Space Museum. The World Flight Endurance record set by the Key Brothers in 1935 still stands today.

At 10,004 feet, Key Field is home to the longest public use runway in Mississippi.

Key Field is home to the Air National Guard 186th Air Refueling Wing. The 186th ARW operates a fleet of KC-135R Stratotankers.  The KC-135R is a mid-air refueler that can carry as much as 30,000 gallons of fuel to all parts of the World. Key Field is also home to the Army National Guard 185th Army Aviation Support Facility, Company G.  The 185th operates a fleet of CH-47 Chinook helicopters.  The Chinook is a multi-purpose transport/cargo helicopter capable of carrying 55 troops and gear or can also sling-load up to 25,000 pounds.

Air Rescue and Firefighting capabilites are provided by the Air National Guard.  Due to their mission as a Refueling Wing, they provide the entire Airport with firefighting capabilities that will rival any airport in the Southeastern United States