Palestine Airport Selected by Texas A&M Forest Service

Oct. 13—The Palestine Airport has been selected for a new tanker base by the Texas A&M Forest Service, according to Texas State Representative Cody Harris of House District 8.

Harris said Palestine Airport's location makes it an optimal spot for Texas A&M Forest Service operations and will increase its ability to effectively serve and protect rural East Texas from fire danger.

"Months ago, I began discussions with the Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System regarding the benefits of making Palestine a tanker base for aerial wildfire responses in East Texas," Harris said. "Our strategic location combined with the unique capabilities of our airport just make sense. I'm grateful to Chancellor John Sharp and his team and to Director Davis for their eagerness to make this project a priority."

Following talks facilitated by Representative Harris with the city of Palestine, the director of the Texas A&M Forest Service, Al Davis and Wes Moorehead, the associate director and fire chief, the forest service is stationing single engine tankers at the facility with retardant resupply containers with the intention of expanding as soon as possible.

The facilities at Palestine Airport provide the needed space, fuel and water for operating single engine air tankers and Fire Boss aircraft as well as helicopters and light fixed wing assets like air attack, lead planes and multi-mission aircraft.

Harris said the ramp space is sufficient to accommodate four SEATs or Fire Bosses, a helicopter and LFW as a result of its lighter traffic and though the Fixed Base Operator is small, there is available housing for 10 to 12 fire personnel for short durations.

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