Robert Gray Army Airfield

Robert Gray Army Airfield
Name	Robert Gray Army Airfield
IATA	GRK
ICAO	KGRK
FAA	GRK
Type	Military
Owner	United States Department of the Army
Operator	United States Army
City-served	Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood)
Location	Killeen, Texas
Built	1942
Used	1942–present
Elevation-f	1,015
Elevation-m	309
Coordinates	31, 04, 02, N...
R1-number	15/33
R1-length-f	10,000
R1-length-m	3,048
R1-surface	Asphalt

Contents

History
Facilities
Operations
Based units
Accidents and incidents
See also

Robert Gray Army Airfield is a military airfield located adjacent to Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) near Killeen, Texas. It serves as a primary aviation facility for the United States Army's III Armored Corps and the 1st Cavalry Division, supporting a wide range of training, logistical, and medical evacuation missions. The airfield is named in honor of Captain Robert Gray, a Texas A&M University graduate and United States Army Air Forces pilot who was killed in action during World War II.

History

The airfield's origins trace back to 1942 when it was constructed as part of the massive World War II expansion of Camp Hood, established for armored force training. Initially supporting tank destroyer units, the airfield's role evolved with the arrival of the 1st Cavalry Division in the early 1970s, which solidified its importance for air cavalry and air assault operations. It was officially dedicated as Robert Gray Army Airfield in 1981. Throughout the Cold War and subsequent conflicts, including the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan, the facility has been a critical hub for deploying and supporting United States Armed Forces units from Fort Cavazos.

Facilities

The airfield encompasses over 1,200 acres and features a single primary runway, 15/33, which is 10,000 feet long and constructed of asphalt. It includes extensive aircraft parking aprons, multiple hangars for maintenance and storage, and a modern air traffic control tower. Key support structures house units of the United States Army Aviation Branch, including the 21st Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat) and the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade. The facility also contains a dedicated aeromedical evacuation complex to support the Fort Cavazos hospital network.

Operations

Primary operations center on supporting the training and readiness of Fort Cavazos-based combat brigades, involving frequent flight training for UH-60 Black Hawk, AH-64 Apache, and CH-47 Chinook helicopter crews. The airfield manages a high volume of logistical flights for the III Armored Corps, including the transport of personnel and equipment. It is a key node for MEDEVAC missions conducted by the United States Army Medical Command across Central Texas. Furthermore, it facilitates strategic airlift operations in coordination with the United States Air Force and supports joint training exercises with entities like the Texas Army National Guard.

Based units

Notable flying and support units stationed at the airfield include the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division, which operates multiple aviation battalions. The 21st Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat) provides adversary air support and training for air defense units. Key tenant organizations encompass elements of the III Armored Corps Aviation Office, the Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) unit of the 1st Medical Brigade, and detachments from the United States Army Reserve and the Texas Army National Guard.

Accidents and incidents

The airfield has experienced several notable aviation accidents. In 1988, a UH-1 Huey helicopter crashed during a training flight, resulting in fatalities. A significant incident occurred in 1996 involving a UH-60 Black Hawk from the 1st Cavalry Division that went down near the installation, with investigations pointing to mechanical failure. More recently, in 2020, an AH-64 Apache helicopter made a hard landing on the airfield's perimeter, causing substantial damage to the aircraft but no serious injuries to the crew.