Redstone Army Airport (KHLR) – Huntsville, Alabama

Redstone Army Airport, designated by the FAA as KHLR and located on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, is a restricted military airfield that serves the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) and the broader Redstone Arsenal installation. While the airport is commonly associated with the greater Huntsville metro area, it sits within Madison County, approximately 100 miles north of Birmingham — a distinction worth noting for travelers and researchers seeking aviation facilities in the Birmingham region.

The airport operates under the authority of the U.S. Army and is not open to the general public without prior coordination or authorization. Its primary mission supports military aviation operations, logistics, contractor aircraft, and government agency flights tied to Redstone Arsenal's extensive defense and aerospace research programs. The installation hosts NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, the Missile Defense Agency, and dozens of defense contractors, all of which generate significant aviation activity through Redstone Army Airport.

The airfield features a single primary runway — Runway 18/36 — stretching approximately 6,000 feet, capable of accommodating a wide range of fixed-wing and rotary-wing military aircraft. Helicopter operations are particularly prominent at KHLR, given the Army's extensive rotary-wing training and operational requirements tied to units stationed at Redstone Arsenal. The airport also supports UC-35, C-12, and various contractor business jets that ferry personnel and equipment supporting defense programs.

For civilian and commercial aviation needs in the broader Alabama region, Huntsville International Airport (HSV), located approximately 15 miles northwest of Redstone Arsenal, serves as the primary commercial gateway. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM), roughly 100 miles to the south, provides the closest major hub connectivity for passengers in central Alabama.

Redstone Army Airport plays a critical role in supporting one of the most significant military and aerospace corridors in the United States. Redstone Arsenal, often called the "Rocket City" hub, is home to more than 40,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel. The airport enables rapid response capabilities, VIP government transport, and logistical support for the programs developed on the installation, including missile defense systems, aviation technology, and space launch vehicles.

Access to Redstone Army Airport requires a valid Department of Defense identification, pre-coordination with installation security, or an approved visitor request. Pilots wishing to conduct operations at KHLR must obtain prior permission from the airfield operations office and comply with Redstone Arsenal's security protocols, including aircraft identification requirements and restricted airspace procedures under the associated Class D airspace designation.

The airport's tower operates during standard military duty hours, providing ATC services for aircraft arriving and departing the installation. Instrument approaches are available for IFR-qualified aircraft, with published procedures that account for proximity to Huntsville International's airspace. Fuel, hangaring, and limited maintenance services are available on a mission-priority basis through the installation's aviation support units.

Nearby general aviation facilities in northern and central Alabama include Prattville Airport and Autauga County Airport to the south, Greenville Municipal Airport (PRN) further toward the Gulf Coast corridor, and Mac Crenshaw Memorial Airport serving the Luverne area. Sells Airport (71AL) represents one of several private strips that dot the Alabama countryside, reflecting the state's broad general aviation infrastructure. These airports collectively complement military and commercial operations across Alabama's aviation network.

For official inquiries regarding Redstone Army Airport operations, access requests, or airfield scheduling, contact the Redstone Arsenal Airfield Operations office directly through the official U.S. Army installation channels. Unauthorized access to the airfield or the surrounding restricted airspace is a federal offense subject to enforcement by installation security forces and the FAA.

Redstone Army Airport Contact Information

Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Birmingham, Virginia.

Name Redstone Army Airport
Address 3220 Acton Road, Birmingham AL 35243 Map
Phone (256) 883-2826
Website
Hours

Map of Redstone Army Airport


Frequently Asked Questions – Redstone Army Airport (KHLR)

Redstone Army Airport (KHLR) is a restricted military airfield located on Redstone Arsenal and is not open to the general public. Civilian and private pilots must obtain prior permission to land or operate at the airfield. This requires contacting the Redstone Arsenal Airfield Operations office in advance and meeting all installation security requirements, including background checks and aircraft identification. Unauthorized entry into the airfield or its associated restricted airspace is a federal violation.

Redstone Army Airport's FAA identifier is KHLR. It is classified as a military airfield under the operational control of the U.S. Army, specifically supporting Redstone Arsenal and the Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM). The airport is listed in FAA aeronautical publications with associated Class D airspace that pilots must respect when operating in the Huntsville, Alabama area.

Redstone Army Airport supports a diverse mix of military and government aviation assets. These include Army rotary-wing aircraft such as UH-60 Black Hawks and CH-47 Chinooks, fixed-wing platforms like the C-12 Huron used for personnel transport, and UC-35 jets operated by Army aviation units. Contractor-owned business jets and turboprops also operate at KHLR, ferrying engineers, program managers, and officials supporting the numerous defense and aerospace programs based at Redstone Arsenal and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.

The nearest commercial airport to Redstone Army Airport is Huntsville International Airport (HSV), located approximately 15 miles northwest of Redstone Arsenal in Madison County. HSV offers commercial service from airlines including American, Delta, and Southwest, with connections to major hubs like Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Charlotte. For travelers originating from or connecting to central Alabama, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) is approximately 100 miles south and serves as a larger regional hub.

Several general aviation airports serve pilots across central and northern Alabama near Redstone Army Airport. Prattville Airport and Autauga County Airport provide GA services in the Prattville area south of Birmingham. Greenville Municipal Airport (PRN) and Mac Crenshaw Memorial Airport serve communities in the southern portion of the state. Sells Airport (71AL) is among the private strips available in the region. For coordinated GA access to the Huntsville area, Huntsville International (HSV) and Moontown Airport (9A4) in Brownsboro are commonly used alternatives near Redstone Arsenal.

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