The flattened peaks of Coonskin Ridge hold West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW) which represents the human ingenuity and perseverance that lead to its genesis. Its history is one of monumental engineering, wartime necessity, and a relentless drive to connect Appalachia to the world. Let’s explore the remarkable journey of this airport, from its origins as a muddy airfield to its current status as a regional aviation hub.
Early Aviation in Charleston: The Wertz Field Era
Charleston’s aviation story began in 1930 with Wertz Field, a small airport in Institute, West Virginia. Operated by West Virginia Airways, it hosted airmail services and passenger flights by airlines like American Airlines and Pennsylvania Central Airlines. However, by the late 1930s, Wertz Field’s short runways became obsolete as aircraft grew larger. American Airlines threatened to withdraw service, prompting local leaders to seek a new site.
The search ended abruptly in 1942 when the U.S. government commandeered Wertz Field’s airspace to build a synthetic rubber plant for World War II efforts. The closure left Charleston without an airport, accelerating plans for a replacement.
Building an “Upstairs Airport”: The Coonskin Ridge Project
In 1940, city engineer Harry Campbell identified Coonskin Ridge, a series of hills north of Charleston, as the ideal location for a new airport. The site’s elevation reduced fog risks, but constructing it required one of the largest earth-moving projects in U.S. history.
Funded by a $3 million county bond and a $2.75 million federal grant, workers leveled three mountain peaks using 2 million pounds of explosives and displaced 9 million cubic yards of earth and rock. Railcars shuttled diesel fuel up the ridge via a temporary pipeline, powering the 200 pieces of heavy equipment that reshaped the landscape. After three years of labor, Kanawha Airport opened on November 3, 1947, with a dedication ceremony attended by thousands, including World War I ace Eddie Rickenbacker.
Postwar Growth and the Jet Age
The 1950s–1970s saw rapid modernization. A terminal designed by Tucker & Silling opened in 1950, and the runway was extended to 6,000 feet in 1971 to accommodate jets. The airport also became a key base for the West Virginia Air National Guard, hosting units like the 130th Airlift Wing.
In 1985, the airport was renamed to honor Chuck Yeager, the Lincoln County native and first pilot to break the sound barrier. A terminal renovation in 1986 and the addition of Concourse C in 2001 further modernized facilities.
Challenges and Innovations
Yeager Airport’s hilltop location posed unique safety challenges. In 2005, an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) was installed at the end of Runway 5 to prevent overruns. This system proved critical in 2010 when a US Airways flight aborted takeoff and was safely halted by the EMAS.
However, the airport’s geography also led to disaster. In 2015, heavy rainfall triggered a landslide beneath the reinforced slope supporting the EMAS, destroying a church and damaging homes in Keystone Drive. Recovery efforts took nearly two years.
Tragedy struck again in 2017 when an Air Cargo Carriers flight crashed during landing, killing both crew members. The NTSB attributed the accident to pilot error and insufficient safety oversight.
Modernization and International Status
The 21st century brought renewed vitality. In 2021, Marshall University opened the Bill Noe Flight School at CRW, training the next generation of pilots. A U.S. Customs facility completed that same year allowed the airport to rebrand as “West Virginia International Yeager Airport” in 2022, though it primarily handles corporate and cargo international flights.
Airlines like Breeze Airways (2023) and legacy carriers such as American and Delta connect Charleston to hubs like Orlando, New York, and Charlotte. Despite Spirit Airlines’ 2023 departure, CRW remains a critical economic driver, supporting jobs and regional growth.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Resilience
Yeager Airport’s history mirrors the tenacity of West Virginia itself. Born from wartime necessity and engineered against impossible odds, it has weathered landslides, crashes, and economic shifts to remain a gateway for the Mountain State. As it approaches its 80th anniversary, CRW continues to innovate, ensuring its place in Appalachia’s skies for decades to come.
Bibliography
- “Yeager Airport.” Wikipedia. Accessed May 13, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeager_Airport.
This comprehensive article details the airport’s facilities, historical milestones, and notable incidents. It provides essential context on runway specifications, airline services, and military operations. - Smith, Jack H. “Yeager Airport.” e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. February 16, 2024. https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/entries/1336.
A authoritative source on the airport’s construction, naming, and economic impact. Highlights key events like the 2015 landslide and the role of the Air National Guard. - “Yeager Airport and Charleston Aviation.” Arcadia Publishing. https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/products/9781467125413.
Though primarily a book listing, this source implies the availability of visual and narrative resources on the airport’s history, useful for further research. - “Nov 3, 1947: The Kanawha Airport Dedication.” Seletyn.com. November 4, 2021. https://seletyn.com/2021/11/04/nov-3-1947-the-kanawha-airport.
Offers a detailed timeline of the airport’s construction, including political and logistical challenges. Extracts from archival materials enrich its historical accuracy. - “About the Airport.” FlyCRW.com. https://flycrw.com/about-the-airport.
The airport’s official website summarizes its mission, modernization efforts, and current services. Emphasizes its 2022 international designation. - “Yeager Airport.” The Clio. Accessed May 13, 2025. https://theclio.com/entry/12382.
Discusses the social and engineering legacy of CRW, including its connection to the Tuskegee Airmen training program and the 2015 landslide. - “Charleston-Yeager Airport, WV Profile.” Aviation Safety Network. https://aviation-safety.net/database/airport/airport.php?id=CRW.
Catalogues accidents and incidents at CRW, providing critical data on safety challenges and outcomes. - “CRW – Wikipedia.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CRW.
A disambiguation page confirming the IATA code CRW’s association with Yeager Airport. - “Flights from Yeager Airport.” Expedia. Accessed May 13, 2025. https://expedia.com/lp/airports/crw/flights-from-yeager-airport.
Lists current airlines and destinations, illustrating CRW’s role in modern regional travel.
https://youtu.be/QY87hTs7F5A
/run/media/bangy/Video/OLD/5-8-2025/aRideWithMe5-13-2025.mkv
Visibility: Partly Cloudy
*GPS Coordinate Data Provided on bottom left corner with date and speed*
Destinations in West Virginia by appearance:
South Charleston
Alum Creek (19:00)
Julian (31:00)
Camp Creek (32:00)
Central Avenue Bridge (South Charleston) (1:19:00)
Dunbar
Institute
Cross Lanes
Nitro (1:43:00)
Southridge (2:07:00)
Charleston (2:14:00)
Eden’s Fork (2:25:00)
Holm’s Hollow
Elk City/West Side (3:23:00)
Big Chimney (3:49:00)
Northgate Business Park (4:18:00)
CRW/Yeager Airport (4:23:30)
East End (Charleston) (4:30:00)
Riverwalk Plaza (4:56:30)
Listen while you ride: My Spotify Playlists
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5FI2WfzKqFIz5dD0BOA1iw?si=4f12084e12b247ec – Mix
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5IWoDtlir7k6eww0PNVdGh?si=dca253ebf4e94ac1 – Chill
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4TNiUuJHvogwtk7ZxWoOpl?si=d4594c2bf5ff4328 – Upbeat
