Tucson Airport Authority (TAA) and the 162nd Wing Arizona Air National Guard (AANG) have announced the completion of the largest F-16 Arm/De-Arm Pad in the United States. This project is part of the TUS Airfield Safety Enhancement Program, a $400 million initiative aimed at updating Tucson International Airport to meet current federal safety standards.
The collaborative effort between TAA and AANG includes an area designed to accommodate up to 14 aircraft simultaneously for pre-flight and post-flight operations. This development supports AANG's mission by enhancing operational flexibility.
Additionally, significant progress has been made with the completion of an End Around Taxiway. This infrastructure improvement will facilitate efficient military access to and from the airfield while navigating active runways. The installation of a Barrier Arresting Kit (BAK) on Runway 4-22 is another key achievement, providing a cable arresting system for safely capturing hook-fitted military aircraft.