BY Andy Ellis
DBJ Editor

The Mid-Delta Regional Airport located in Greenville, Mississippi, recently announced the opening of the Greenville Air Force Base Museum. The museum highlights the rich history of the Airport and contains numerous aircraft related artifacts from throughout the years.
“The project began several years ago,” says Airport Director Darrell Forman. “We had many people who were interested in the history of the Airport, and this inquiry spurred the mayor to form a committee. This committee’s goal was to develop the museum.” Forman also credits committee chairman Ben Nelkin for much of the initial and ongoing work involved in establishing the museum. Forman continues, “We also received a great deal of input from men and women who served on the base.” In addition Forman says many corporate sponsors including MDEZA (Mid-Delta Empowerment Zone Alliance Inc.) contributed a great deal towards the formation of the museum.
The Greenville Airport, as it is commonly called, began its life in 1941 as the Greenville Army Airfield, a training facility for military pilots. After World War II, the airport was decommissioned and closed for a brief period and later reopened as a contract flight school, which was also relatively short lived. With the onset of the Korean War, the airfield reopened under the name of Greenville Air Force Base. Until the year 1965, although under various names, the purpose of the airfield was to train pilots. However, Forman says the last few years of its life, the Greenville Air Force Base was used primarily to train firefighters in a variety of fire fighting techniques. Following the closure of Greenville Air force Base, the base was presented to the City of Greenville.
Today, Mid-Delta Regional Airport serves as the only airport located in the Mississippi Delta. With its closest competitors located over 100 miles away, MDRA provides Delta residents with an invaluable service. MDRA also provides its customers with competitive rates and curb-side service as well as free parking. Now, with the addition of a museum, Deltans have a whole new reason to visit the airport.
“The new museum hopes to honor those men and women who served at the base during times of war,” explains Forman. “The museum contains everything from old uniforms to an extensive photograph collection, and we will be swapping items out to give the museum a fresh look” he adds. “We are even in the process of adding completely restored aircraft.” Forman says plans are to add two aircraft known as the T-33 and the T-6, which were used to train pilots. “The T-6 was an early advanced pilot trainer,” explains Forman. “The T-33 was the first two-seat single engine jet trainer used by the Air Force.” The Museum has proven to be a great success, and there are still many new features the committee wishes to add says Forman.
The Greenville Air Force Base Museum is located on the second floor of Mid-Delta Regional Airport above the mezzanine. The museum is open daily, seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on the Greenville Air Force Base Museum please visit them on the web at . DBJ