Castle Airport Merced — Atwater, California

Castle Airport, officially known as Castle Airport Merced (formerly Castle Air Force Base), is a public-use general aviation airport located in Atwater, Merced County, California. Situated along the western edge of the San Joaquin Valley, the airport sits at an elevation of approximately 191 feet above sea level and serves as a critical transportation hub for the agricultural heartland of Central California. Positioned roughly 7 miles northwest of downtown Merced and adjacent to the city of Atwater, Castle Airport offers convenient access to communities throughout the northern San Joaquin Valley corridor.

The airport's roots trace back to 1941 when it was established as Castle Air Force Base, named after Brigadier General Frederick W. Castle. For over five decades, Castle AFB was home to the Strategic Air Command and served as a major Cold War installation, training generations of B-52 Stratofortress and KC-135 Stratotanker crews. Following the base realignment and closure process in 1995, the facility transitioned to civilian aviation operations, preserving its impressive 11,800-foot primary runway — one of the longest in California and a legacy of its military heritage.

Today, Castle Airport covers approximately 2,577 acres and is owned and operated by the Merced County Airport. The airport features two active runways: the primary Runway 13/31 stretching 11,802 feet, and the secondary Runway 18/36 at 5,495 feet. These expansive dimensions allow Castle Airport to accommodate virtually any category of aircraft, from single-engine piston planes to wide-body commercial jets, military transports, and heavy cargo aircraft. The FAA identifier for Castle Airport Merced is MER.

General aviation users at Castle Airport benefit from a range of on-site services. Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) provide fuel, aircraft maintenance, tie-downs, and hangar storage for transient and based aircraft. The airport supports instrument flight rules (IFR) operations with published approach procedures, including GPS/RNAV approaches to both runway ends. Pilots flying into Castle Airport from nearby Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK), approximately 65 miles to the northwest, or from other Central Valley airfields appreciate the long runways and relatively uncongested airspace compared to Bay Area terminals.

Atwater itself is a community of roughly 32,000 residents embedded within Merced County's agricultural landscape. Known for its proximity to the Castle Air Museum — a world-class military aviation museum located directly adjacent to the airport — Atwater draws aviation enthusiasts from across California and beyond. The museum's static display of over 70 historic aircraft, including B-52s, SR-71 Blackbirds, and B-47 Stratojets, makes Castle Airport a distinctive destination unlike any other general aviation facility in the state.

The airport's strategic location provides efficient access to California State University, Merced — the newest UC campus, situated approximately 10 miles to the southeast — as well as the agricultural operations that generate billions in annual output across Merced County. Crops including almonds, dairy products, sweet potatoes, and poultry products move through the region's logistics networks, with Castle Airport's cargo capabilities supporting time-sensitive agricultural shipments.

For pilots and aviation businesses seeking a long-runway alternative to congested Bay Area airports, Castle Airport Merced offers a compelling combination of infrastructure, services, and central valley positioning. Whether arriving from Clean Energy Oakland International Airport to the west or coordinating regional transport needs, Castle Airport's combination of military-grade runways, modern FBO services, and proximity to Merced County's growing economy make it a vital asset for Central California aviation.

Castle Airport - MER Contact Information

Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Atwater, California.

Name Castle Airport - MER
Address Heritage Drive, Atwater CA 95301 Map
Phone (209) 385-7686
Website
Hours

Map of Castle Airport - MER

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Frequently Asked Questions — Castle Airport Merced, Atwater, CA

Castle Airport Merced carries the FAA identifier MER. Its primary runway, Runway 13/31, measures 11,802 feet — one of the longest civilian runways in California, a direct inheritance from its former life as Castle Air Force Base. A secondary runway, Runway 18/36, provides an additional 5,495-foot surface. These dimensions allow Castle Airport to accommodate heavy cargo aircraft, business jets, and military transports that cannot operate at smaller regional fields.

Yes. The Castle Air Museum sits directly adjacent to Castle Airport Merced along Santa Fe Drive in Atwater. The museum preserves over 70 historic military aircraft on static outdoor and indoor display, including a B-52 Stratofortress, an SR-71 Blackbird, a B-47 Stratojet, and an A-12 Oxcart — the CIA predecessor to the SR-71. Visiting pilots frequently tie down at Castle Airport and walk to the museum, making it one of California's most unique fly-in destinations for aviation history enthusiasts.

Castle Airport Merced supports full general aviation operations including 100LL and Jet-A fueling, aircraft tie-downs, T-hangar and box hangar storage, and basic maintenance services through on-field FBO facilities. The airport operates IFR-capable approaches including GPS/RNAV procedures for both runway ends, making it accessible during low-visibility conditions common in San Joaquin Valley tule fog season (November through February). Pilots transiting from Meadowlark Airport or Livermore Municipal Airport regularly use Castle as a fuel and rest stop on Central Valley cross-country flights.

Castle Airport Merced is located approximately 7 miles northwest of downtown Merced via Highway 99 and Buhach Road. UC Merced, California's newest University of California campus established in 2005, lies roughly 10 miles to the southeast of the airport. Ground transportation from Castle Airport to both destinations takes under 20 minutes by car. The airport's proximity to the university has prompted discussions about potential charter and commuter service expansion as the campus population continues to grow toward its projected enrollment of 10,000 students.

Castle Air Force Base was established in 1941 and named after Brigadier General Frederick W. Castle, a World War II Medal of Honor recipient. During the Cold War, it served as the primary training base for Strategic Air Command B-52 bomber and KC-135 tanker crews. At its peak, Castle AFB was one of the most significant air power installations in the United States. Following the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, the installation was officially closed in September 1995. Merced County subsequently assumed ownership of the property and converted it to civilian use as Castle Airport Merced, retaining the extensive runway infrastructure that continues to distinguish the facility today.

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