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44 Thursday, September 26, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com

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Airport tenants jointly celebrate its first 100 years of operation

SHELLY KEHRLE-SULSER

Executive Editor

Called by Centennial Committee

Chairman T.R. Shaw one of the

city’s crown jewels, Battle Creek

Executive Airport was cause for

celebration Saturday as all of its ten-

ants, from the Air National Guard to

Waco Aircraft, gathered at the WMU

College of Aviation for cake, kudos

and Kavalhuna.

Marshall native Russ Kavalhuna,

that is.

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The Western Michigan University College of Aviation in Battle Creek is the

third largest pilot school in the country. (Shopper News photo by Shelly Kehrle-Sulser)

Around 60 people attended the program commemorating the Battle Creek

Executive Airport’s centennial Saturday at Western Michigan University

College of Aviation. (Shopper News photo by Shelly Kehrle-Sulser)

The 2001 graduate of the WMU

College of Aviation was the keynote

speaker for the 100th Anniversary

of the airport, where the public was

able to get an up close look at black

hawk and huey helicopters, Waco

aircraft and WMU planes.

“It has an immense contribution,”

said Kavalhuna about the airport’s

relevance to the aviation industry.

“There’s 2,000 jobs attributed to this

airport, millions of dollars of eco-

nomic activity. Fourth longest run-

way in the state (at 10,004 feet). An

Air National Guard base, the third

largest pilot school in the country.

It’s been around 100 years. There’s

no other community in Michigan that

can say all those things.”

Kavalhuna should know.

Aside from having been a com-

mercial airline pilot, Kavalhuna

serves on the Michigan Aeronautics

Commission that funds all aviation

infrastructure in the state.

“There’s not enough time to say

what I like about aviation,” said

Kavalhuna. “It attracts people who

work hard, are passionate about a

mission bigger than themselves and

have to learn to work together as a

team. Otherwise, bad things happen.

There’s no other system that is as

safe as aviation and that’s because

people learn how to work together as

teams. You don’t see a lot of other

teamwork in our society right now.”

Michigan State Rep. Jim Haadsma

(D-Battle Creek) presented Shaw

with a State of Michigan Special

Tribute signed by Gov. Gretchen

Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist

and himself congratulating the city-

owned airport on its longevity and

contributions to the economy.

Founded in 1924, the Battle Creek

Executive Airport at Kellogg Field

began operation in 1925 and quickly

established itself as a critical part of

the community.

The airport began air mail opera-

tions in 1928 and passenger services

in 1929.

See AIRPORT on 45