b'38 APN RUNWAYSAlpena Regional Teams WithNational Guard on Runway Project BY MIKE SCHWANZAirport executives are used to overseeing major runwaythat the 9,000-foot surface had to be reconstructed. It took a lot projects. Few, however, are accustomed to workingof planning between many stakeholders to agree on how to make closely with the Air National Guard to merge their airportsthis happen. requirements with those of the military. Originally, the airport tabled a plan to repave the whole runway That process presents extra challengeswith asphalt, but the military needed more fortified landing for Steve Smigelski, manager of Alpenazones to better handle the weight of its heavy C-5 and C-17 County Regional Airport (APN) in northeasterncargo planes that often land at APN. Eventually, consensus was Michigan. The commercial/general aviationreached. The National Guard agreed to contribute $44 million to airport is also a major training base of thebuild reinforced concrete areas at the ends of the runway, while Michigan Air National Guard and home to aalso replacing its old arresting cable system with a new version. Combat Readiness Training Center, one of justAlpena County, which owns the airport, agreed to fund other four such units in the United States. As a result,STEVE SMIGELSKI portions of the $58 million project by spending a large portion of APN and the Guard often share responsibilitiesthe nearly $18 million APN received through the Coronavirus Aid, and costs for major construction projects at the airport.Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.Our main concrete runway, 1-19, was 30 years old, and inThe National Guard made improvements on the north and south rough shape, Smigelski says. The military officials agreed with usends of Runway 1-19; the airport was responsible for resurfacing January | February 2025AirportImprovement.com'