Clinton-Sherman Airport — Oklahoma Spaceport and Former Strategic Air Command Base
Clinton-Sherman Airport in Burns Flat, Washita County, is one of Oklahoma's most remarkable aviation facilities — a former US Air Force Strategic Air Command base that has been reborn as the Oklahoma Spaceport, an FAA-licensed commercial space launch facility. During the Cold War, Clinton-Sherman hosted B-52 Stratofortress and B-47 Stratojet bombers on nuclear alert status. Today, its 13,500-foot primary runway — one of the longest in Oklahoma and built to accommodate fully-loaded bombers — makes it ideal for horizontal space launch vehicles and aerospace testing operations.
The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) manages the facility with a vision to attract commercial space launch companies to western Oklahoma's wide-open airspace and minimal population density. The spaceport's vast ramp areas, former military hangars, and the 13,500-foot runway provide infrastructure that would cost hundreds of millions to replicate from scratch. General aviation and charter operators also use Clinton-Sherman extensively, benefiting from its excellent facilities and lack of traffic congestion. The site sits along US-40 (former Route 66) near Burns Flat, roughly 90 miles west of Oklahoma City, under VFR conditions that characterize western Oklahoma's typically excellent flying weather outside spring storm season.
Frequently Asked Questions — Clinton-Sherman Airport / Oklahoma Spaceport
What is the Oklahoma Spaceport at Clinton-Sherman?
The Oklahoma Spaceport holds an FAA Spaceport License, authorizing horizontal launches of suborbital and orbital vehicles. The facility is managed by the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority and targets commercial aerospace companies seeking a launch site with long runways, good year-round weather, restricted airspace options, and proximity to Oklahoma's aerospace workforce trained by programs at OSU and OU.
How long is Clinton-Sherman Airport's runway?
Clinton-Sherman features a 13,500-foot primary runway — built during the Cold War to handle fully-loaded SAC bombers — making it one of the longest runways in Oklahoma. This length is ideal for space vehicle horizontal landing, heavy cargo aircraft, and aircraft performance testing operations that require extended rollout distances.
Can general aviation aircraft use Clinton-Sherman Airport?
Yes — Clinton-Sherman welcomes general aviation traffic alongside its commercial space development mission. The airport offers fuel services, and its 13,500-foot runway is obviously more than sufficient for any GA aircraft. The wide-open western Oklahoma airspace and uncrowded pattern make it a pleasant destination for cross-country pilots transiting the I-40 corridor.
What was Clinton-Sherman's role during the Cold War?
Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base was part of Strategic Air Command's (SAC) bomber fleet infrastructure, hosting B-47 Stratojets and later B-52 Stratofortresses on continuous nuclear alert. The base was designed so bombers could be airborne within minutes of a nuclear strike warning. It was deactivated in 1969 as SAC consolidated to fewer, larger bases.
Clinton Sherman Airport Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Foss, Oklahoma.
| Name | Clinton Sherman Airport |
| Address | 2nd Street, Foss OK 73647 Map |
| Phone | (580) 562-4526 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Clinton Sherman Airport
Flying to Burns Flat: Washita County Aviation and Regional Connections
Clinton-Sherman Airport anchors the local aviation infrastructure for Burns Flat and the surrounding Washita County region of west-central Oklahoma. The facility plays an essential role in maintaining air access for a community whose economy depends on Clinton-Sherman's history as a Strategic Air Command bomber base and its current redevelopment as Oklahoma Spaceport — an FAA-licensed commercial space launch facility targeting suborbital and orbital missions. Charter operators linking Burns Flat to Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) — Oklahoma's busiest commercial airport with service to over 30 nonstop destinations — or Tulsa International (TUL) typically operate Cessna Caravans, Piper Senecas, or similar twin-engine aircraft, with flight times averaging 30–90 minutes depending on routing and wind conditions across Oklahoma's expansive geography.
The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission's infrastructure investment programs help airports like Clinton-Sherman Airport maintain competitive facilities despite the funding challenges facing rural general aviation. These investments support local emergency medical transport, law enforcement aviation, agricultural inspection flights, and the energy sector's time-sensitive charter needs. Visitors arriving by private aircraft to Burns Flat will find the airport conveniently accessible, with ground transportation options available to Washita County's key attractions, government offices, and business districts. The west-central Oklahoma region's aviation community benefits significantly from the state's strong aeronautics tradition — Oklahoma is home to more pilots per capita than most states, a legacy of the oil boom era's embrace of aviation as the fastest path between far-flung energy assets.