Primary icon Alternate Icon (used in places where we want to recognize AOPA because the connection may not be evident) OPEN FOR G MAINE BUSINESS ive an airport back to the community, and pilots will come. That’s what happened on a crystal-clear Saturday morning in June when Maine’s former Naval Air Station Brunswick opened for business as Brunswick Executive Airport. Built and commissioned in 1943, the former NAS Brunswick housed squadrons that carried out antisubmarine warfare missions during Former naval base is returned to Maine’s pilots BY JILL W. TALLMAN World War II. After the war, it became an operational air station to support the U.S. fleet. It was decommissioned on May 31, 2011, as part of the federal government’s base realignment and closure process. The sprawling facility on Maine’s coast welcomed civilian pilots for the first time on June 4. Nearly 300 aircraft landed on Brunswick Executive’s Runway 1R. Pilots and visitors wandered the expansive flight line and took the opportunity to climb inside a Kestrel, the six-seat, composite single-engine turboprop that will be built at the Brunswick Brunswick Executive Airport welcomes civilian aircraft for the first time since before World War II (above). Pilots listen to a presentation by AOPA President Craig Fuller (below). NEW JERSEY er LAWARE RYLAND d PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY LAWRESTON/DISTINCTIVE VIEWS AOPA PILOT • 47 •AUGUST 2011