Biggs Army Airfield

Biggs Army Airfield is a United States Army installation located on the Fort Bliss military base in El Paso, Texas. Established in 1916, the site initially supported the United States Army Border Air Patrol starting in 1919, utilizing Dayton-Wright DH-4 aircraft. Early infrastructure included a steel hangar for an airship station completed in 1919 to house the 8th Balloon Company. The field was officially named in 1925 in honor of Lieutenant James Berthea Biggs.

Between 1947 and 1966, the installation operated as Biggs Air Force Base. During this period, it hosted the 97th Bombardment Wing, the 95th Bombardment Wing, and the 810th Air Division. Aircraft assigned to the base included the B-29 Superfortress, B-50 Superfortress, B-36 Peacemaker, B-52B Stratofortress, and KC-135A Stratotanker. The Air Force ceased operations at the site in 1966, and the facility was transferred to the U.S. Army in 1973.

The airfield is currently operated by the U.S. Army as a sub-post of Fort Bliss. It serves as the base for several units of the 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade, including the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions of the 501st Aviation Regiment, the 3rd Squadron of the 6th Cavalry Regiment, and the 127th Aviation Support Battalion. These units operate attack, general support, and reconnaissance aircraft.

Current operations include the Silas L. Copeland Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group, which manages the movement of military and civilian personnel for overseas deployments. The airfield also serves as the headquarters for Joint Task Force North and the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC). Infrastructure includes a 116-foot air traffic control tower commissioned in 2017. The airfield provides operational support for various multi-service activities and serves as a refueling stop for NASA’s Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.