Esler Field, also known as Esler Regional Airport, (IATA: ESF, ICAO: KESF, FAA LID: ESF) is a military and public use airfield in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, near the City of Pineville. It is located 10 nautical miles (12 statute miles, 19 kilometres) northeast of the central business district of Alexandria, Louisiana, The airfield is owned by the Louisiana Army National Guard and is the home of Army Aviation Support Facility 2 (AASF 2).
This airport is included in the FAA’s National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015, which categorized it as a general aviation airport. It has no scheduled commercial airline service at present but was served by Delta Air Lines in the past with mainline passenger jet service.
ESLER REGIONAL AIRPORT HISTORY
World War II
After World War I in 1919 the Army had abandoned Camp Beauregard and turned the property over to the state of Louisiana, which returned it to the United States, however interest in the military utilization of Camp Beauregard increased significantly in 1939 when war began in Europe. The United States needed a training ground for American troops. In 1940 the land was returned to the War Department for use as a World War II training area. That area included the now-abandoned Camps Claiborne and Livingston and what has become Esler Regional Airport.
Construction of the airport, originally called Camp Beauregard Army Field, for the United States Army Air Corps began in 1940. In the summer of 1940 and throughout 1941 the area was used for the Louisiana Maneuvers. The Air Corps used the airfield extensively during the maneuvers, with the 67th Observation Group stationing the 107th Observation Squadron at the airfield between 28 October 1940 and 14 December 1941. In addition, the 109th Observation Squadron used the airport from 27 February 1941 until 18 December 1942 flying light observation planes.
ESLER REGIONAL AIRPORT LOCATION
Esler Field, also known as Esler Regional Airport, (IATA: ESF, ICAO: KESF, FAA LID: ESF) is a military and public use airfield in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, near the City of Pineville. It is located 10 nautical miles (12 statute miles, 19 kilometres) northeast of the central business district of Alexandria, Louisiana.
ESLER REGIONAL AIRPORT FACTS
ICAO/IATA: ESF/KESF
Lat: 31°23′42″N
Long: 092°17′45″W
Elevation: 112 ft.
Runway length available: 08/26 5999×150 ft. :: 14/32 5601×150 ft.
