DECKER FIELD: THE UNTOLD STORY

Few people realize that fifty years ago a series of events took place that eventually resulted in the airfield in Wendover, Utah becoming a civilian airport rather than a permanent military installation operated by the US Air Force.  Though not generally recognized today, the airfield was named Decker Field in honor of Douglas A. Decker who spearheaded the effort for this change to occur. Ultimately, this is a story of how one individual, despite considerable obstacles, was able to make a lasting difference for the region. It’s a narrative that underscores the importance of collaboration and persistence. The following timeline highlights those efforts:

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

January 1972

Major organizational efforts are initiated by Douglas Decker to obtain civilian use of the Wendover Air Force Base, with the project’s efforts being approved by Utah’s Governor Calvin Rampton.  Contacts were made with Congressman Sherman Lloyd and Senator Wallace Bennett who were able to arrange a March 3rd meeting in Utah with the FAA Chief Administrator John H. Shaffer.

February 1972

Douglas Decker & Wendover Mayor John Susich meet at Wendover to discuss plans for the upcoming March 3rd visit.  The Utah Travel Development Board writes a February 1 letter to General Hoban, who oversees the Ogden Air Material Area, requesting support for the joint use application.  On February 22nd, the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce passes a resolution supporting shared use of the Wendover Airfield.  Senator Bennett solicits the help from President Nixon in supporting joint military and civilian use of the airfield.  During February, several articles are published in the Salt Lake Tribune and Tooele Transcript announcing the visit of FAA Chief John H. Shaffer and supporting civilian use of the airfield.  The Utah Aviation News, published by the Division of Aeronautics, announces the March 3rd visit and a concurrent annual awards banquet in the Hotel Utah. 

March 1972

The March 3 meeting with government and Utah officials is held with an initial briefing at the Utah Aeronautics offices.  Attendees then boarded jets and flew to Wendover for an on-site meeting.  High ranking officials represented were:

• John H. Schaffer, FAA Chief Administrator
• Calvin L. Rampton, Governor of Utah
• Robert H. Jensen, Deputy Assistant Air Force Secretary
• Frank E. Moss, Utah Senator
• Sherman P. Lloyd, Utah Congressman
• Robert Wolthuis, representative for Senator Wallace Bennett
• Richard M. Hoban, Maj. Gen. of the Ogden Air Material Division
• Douglas Decker and other Utah Aeronautics and State officials

The Ogden Standard-Examiner, Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News all report on the March 3rd meeting and urge approval of joint use of the base.  A newsletter from Senator Bennett’s office reports that Federal Officials are favorably disposed to joint use of the base.

April 1972

The Civil Air Patrol ‘Wingspan’ discussed potential joint use of the airfield Douglas Decker meets with Robert Jensen who is the Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installation Management on April 27 and 28. 

May 1972

The Salt Lake Tribune reported on two days of Air Force Conferences attended by Mr. Decker who feels optimistic about a decision to share the airfield and later, a potential base decommission.  Decker’s letter to Robert Jensen notes that he expects a decision by May 19.  A letter from Wendover Acting Mayor Lynn R. Poulsen confirms that they are in complete accord with the Division of Aeronautics joint use application.

June 1972

A June 2nd letter to Mr. Decker from Robert H. Jensen, Air Force Deputy, notes that the application for joint use is approved in principle “dependent on a successful negotiation of the civil use agreement”.  The letter also states that there is the possibility of the base being declared excess to Air Force needs, and if so, the General Services Administration would handle the disposition.

Douglas Decker releases a June 2nd press release announcing the Air Force decision and outlining steps to be taken as the agreements proceed.  Articles are published in the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News announcing the agreement for joint civilian and military use.

July 1972

Dr. Milton C. Abrams, chairman of the Governor’s Historic sites committee said that Wendover Air Force Base will be added to a list for nomination to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places along with the Bonneville Speedway.  The Division of Aeronautics newsletter notes the Air Force agreement for joint use of the air base.

August 1972

Wendover City gives operational control of the air base to the State of Utah.  The Air Force agreement for joint use required someone other than the Air Force to manage and maintain the facilities for civilian use.  Dr. Donald Bailey, chairman of the Utah Aeronautics commission concluded that State operation of the base is the best option.

An August 14 letter from the Utah Aeronautics Board to the Air Force states that the joint use agreement is acceptable except that the State of Utah will execute the agreement as the financial liability of the operation is too large for the City of Wendover.  The Air Force finds the new agreement acceptable and asks Mr. Decker to prepare the agreement in final form and send it to the Air Force.

The August 22nd agreement to operate the airfield is signed by Governor Calvin L. Rampton.

September 1972

Senator Bennett’s office reports that as of September 29, 1972, the agreement for joint use of the airfield is finalized between the Air Force and the State of Utah.

January 1973

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that building 426, the Base Operations building has been refurbished, hangars are cleaned up and windows replaced.  The Tribune notes that there is now the “prospect of hundreds of pilots and passengers flying in for a weekend of gambling…or for Bonneville Salt Flats speed tests”.

The Utah Division of Aeronautics announces that they have licensed Northern Nevada Aviation as the airport operator with Brent Jones as the airport manager.  

February 1974

The Wendover Town Council, headed by Council President Thomas E. Watkins, signs a resolution recognizing the efforts of Douglas Decker in obtaining public use of Wendover Airfield.  In honor of that effort, the town re-names the airfield as Decker Field.

1977

The agreement deeding the property and buildings of Wendover Airfield from the Air Force to the City of Wendover is finalized.

DECKER FIELD EXHIBIT

Made possible by a generous donation from Douglas and Judy Decker, visitors can now see our permanent exhibit, “Decker Field: The Untold Story.” This interactive touchscreen kiosk details the story of Doug Decker’s effort to spearhead the transition of Wendover Air Force Base into a joint-military civilian use airfield in the early 1970s. Thanks to comprehensive materials provided by Doug Decker we now can share this incredible story with original photographs, documents, and media and paint a more complete picture of the airfield’s history.

DOUGLAS DECKER BIOGRAPHY

Douglas A. Decker has been a licensed pilot for over 50 years. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot rating and owns a single engine A-36 Beechcraft Bonanza airplane. Decker is a member of the South Carolina Aviation Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Experimental Aviation Association (EAA), the EAA’s Young Eagle Program and the American Bonanza Society. Decker has served as a pilot with Angel Flight and Mercy Flight.

In February 2016, Decker was presented with the Federal Aviation Administration Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for exhibiting professionalism, skill and aviation expertise in piloting aircraft for 50 years.

Decker has been actively involved in airport management, promotion and development for over forty years. He served in State Airport System Planning at seventy-one airports including twenty-six served by daily air service.  He has testified before the United States Congress six times including the Senate Aviation Subcommittee and House Armed Services Committee and presented testimony before the South Carolina Tax Realignment Commission (TRAC) Commission and the South Carolina Senate Transportation Sub-committee.

Decker has held positions including: Commissioner on the Utah State Aeronautics Board, and a member of the following organizations: the Salt Lake City International Airport Advisory Board, the Capital Improvements Committee, the General Mitchell Milwaukee International Airport and the State of Wisconsin Aviation Master Plan Task Force. Decker spearheaded the successful effort to open the Wendover Air Force Base, Utah to public use. As a result, the city renamed the airport “Decker Field” and awarded Decker the Utah Pilot’s Award for Outstanding Service to Aviation in Utah. In July 2017 Decker was chairman of the 22 member “Strategic Business Plan” for the Georgetown County Airport (KGGE).

Decker (left) receives the Utah Pilots Association (UPA)  award for “Outstanding Service to Aviation in Utah” from UPA President Steve Lawson, March 3, 1972.

Decker is a graduate of the University of Denver, with a B.S. degree in Business Administration and Engineering. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers. Decker retired as Vice President of the Government Business Group at Johnson Controls Inc. where he was employed for forty-two years. Decker had responsibility to oversee the management of the Minuteman Missile Group, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Decker was inducted into the “Association of Energy Engineers Hall of Fame” in 2001 and the “Energy Efficiency Hall of Fame” in 2009. The Energy Efficiency Forum established the “Douglas Decker Lifetime Achievement Award” in his honor. He is co-author of the book “Policy Evolution: Energy Conservation to Energy Efficiency”, The Fairmount Press Inc., 1997.

He resides in Pawleys Island, SC with his wife Judy.