Rosecrans Memorial Airport: Aviation in St Joseph, Missouri
Rosecrans Memorial Airport (STJ) is co-located on Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph, Missouri, and serves as the primary airport for the St. Joseph metro area and Buchanan County. The airport shares runways with the 139th Airlift Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard, which operates C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, giving STJ unusually long and well-maintained runways for a regional facility.
St. Joseph's proximity to Kansas City International Airport (MCI) — about 55 miles south — makes commercial airline competition challenging, and STJ primarily serves general aviation, corporate aircraft, military flights, and charter operations today. Historic St. Joseph was the eastern terminus of the Pony Express, and visitors to the Pony Express Museum and Jesse James House sometimes arrive by private aircraft.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rosecrans Memorial Airport
What is the FAA identifier for Rosecrans Memorial Airport?
Rosecrans Memorial Airport's FAA identifier and IATA code is STJ.
What military unit is based at Rosecrans Memorial Airport?
The 139th Airlift Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard, flying C-130 Hercules aircraft, is based at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base co-located with the civilian airport.
Why is the airport named Rosecrans?
The airport honors General William S. Rosecrans, a Civil War Union Army general from Ohio who commanded the Army of the Cumberland.
How far is STJ from Kansas City International Airport?
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is approximately 55 miles south of St. Joseph, a roughly 50-minute drive.
Rosecrans Memorial Airport Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in St Joseph, Missouri.
| Name | Rosecrans Memorial Airport |
| Address | Northwest Rosecrans Road, St. Joseph MO 64503 Map |
| Phone | (816) 271-4886 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Rosecrans Memorial Airport
Rosecrans Memorial Airport and the Aviation Community of St Joseph, Missouri
Rosecrans Memorial Airport's dual civil-military character gives it infrastructure depth unusual among Missouri's regional airports. The C-130-capable runways maintained by the Air National Guard benefit general aviation users who can operate aircraft that typical regional airports cannot accommodate.
St. Joseph has deep aviation roots — the city was a key waypoint in early transcontinental air mail routes. Rosecrans continues that legacy as northwestern Missouri's most capable airport, serving Buchanan County's agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare industries.