{"id":11342,"date":"2026-09-26T11:23:44","date_gmt":"2026-09-26T15:23:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legeros.com\/blog\/?p=11342"},"modified":"2026-09-26T17:23:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-26T21:23:51","slug":"ilm-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legeros.com\/blog\/ilm-history\/","title":{"rendered":"New Hanover County Airport Fire Department History"},"content":{"rendered":"

Presenting a new history of New Hanover County International Airport’s fire department.\u00a0<\/p>\n

See also this posting<\/a> about the airport’s fire apparatus.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Last updated September 26, 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1920s to 1949<\/strong><\/p>\n

1927 – First landing at airport.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1928, May 30 – Airfield named\u00a0Bluethenthal Field in memory of Arthur Bluethenthal, first person from Wilmington and the second from North Carolina to be killed in World War I.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

1941, Dec 8 – Army Air Corps moved onto the airfield. Added facilities included a bomber command station and facility support including a hospital and administrative offices.\u00a0<\/p>\n

194_ – Airport deeded to county at no cost.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1946, Oct – Snapshot. Airport had two small pumpers, each with 300 gallon capacity, and eight men on duty. Wilmington Fire Chief Ludie J. Croom filed a report on the airport’s fire protection to airport officials, in preparation for recommendations from the federal government that the city take over fire protection at the airport. City officials informally said that the time and four-mile distance of the airport from the city would make it difficult for “local fire departments to act effectively in emergencies.” [WMS, 10\/8\/46]<\/p>\n

1950 to 1979<\/strong><\/p>\n

1950 – Modern terminal building and control tower completed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1950, Jan – Snapshot – Airport had a pumper, brush truck, and “chemical crash truck” all obtained as military surplus. [SN, 1\/15\/50]<\/p>\n

1950s – Airport renamed New Hanover County Airport.<\/p>\n

1950s – Two USAF 1954 American LaFrance O-11A crash trucks delivered.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1958, Dec 17? – Incident – National Air Lines Super Constellation made an emergency landing after an engine fire. Awaiting its landing were the two airport fire trucks and two from Wrightsboro VFD. The fire was extinguished by onboard systems prior to landing. [WMS, 12\/18\/58]<\/p>\n

1961, Aug – Snapshot. Fire apparatus were two crash trucks that protected the airport during the war: 194_ Chevy\/Holabird Class 110 and a second 1940s crash truck. Both had been completely renovated. Two men were on duty at all times and the Wrightsboro VFD answered all calls the airport, and its volunteer members were trained in airport firefighting. [WMS, 8\/17\/61]<\/p>\n

1961, Sep 24 – Incident – USAF C-123 transport plane carrying media members and parachuters crashed shortly after take off during an air show, killing three and injuring 12 others aboard.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1962, Aug 22 – Martin 4-0-4, N40401, crashed after landing. Three souls were aboard, no injuries.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1964? – Ford F-100 pick-up with skid system acquired. Named “Yellow Bird.”<\/p>\n

1964, Jun 27 – Incident – Cessna 182 crashed in a swamp after take off. Two souls were aboard, both injured, and remained at the crash site for about 30 hours, before one of them found a house and summoned help.<\/p>\n

1965 – USAF detachment added at airport.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1971, circa – USAF reduced most of the 48th Firefighter Squadron at the airport, but sufficient personnel were left behind to maintain hangars and staff the fire equipment. [WMS, 3\/5\/71]<\/p>\n

1973, Aug – News reported that a new garage for the airport fire truck(s) was being rebuilt and half the size of the original structure that had burned down. [WMS, 8\/17\/73]<\/p>\n

1974, snapshot – Fire protection was provided with USAF equipment and on-duty USAF personnel and\/or off-duty USAF personnel employed by airport.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1974, Jul 9 – Incident – Marine OV-10 aircraft caught fire after a landing gear collapse. One of the two pilots was killed. [WMS, 7\/10\/74]\u00a0<\/p>\n

1974, Nov – Airport advertised for bids for a 1,500-gallon crash truck with a 270 day delivery time frame.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1975 – USAF relocated 48th Firefighter Squadron and support services, including ARFF personnel and equipment, to Charleston, SC.<\/p>\n

1975 – Airport created fire department. First fire chief was Joseph L. Rhine, an ARFF firefighter with 28 years of experience. [WMS, 6\/9\/82]<\/p>\n

1975, Feb – 1974 International\/FireBoss delivered. [WMS, 2\/15\/75] Designated Chief 1.<\/p>\n

1975, Aug, circa – 1975 Oshkosh M-1500 delivered. Cost $156,928. Purchased with funds including a $132,020 federal grant from the FAA. [WMS, Feb 15, 1975] Replaced a crash truck that the airport shared with the USAF and that was being transferred to Charleston, SC. [WMS, Mar 11, 1975]<\/p>\n

1975, Aug – News reported that money was budgeted for two pick-up trucks, to be used as quick-response vehicles, and replace the current units. The airport had skid systems and would move them to the new trucks. [WMS, 6\/7\/88]<\/p>\n

1975, Oct 4 – Incident – Cessna 310 with six souls aboard crashed a half-mile from a runway, while on approach for an emergency landing. All aboard were injured, including wrestling promoter David Crockett and wrestlers Ric Flair, Johnny Valentine, Bob Bruggers, and Tim Woods. The pilot later died. [WMS, 10\/5\/75]<\/p>\n

1975, Dec – News reported that the airport was studying the possibly of converting the full-time fire department to a volunteer one, to cut costs. The department employed 10 men, with two on duty at all times. [WMS, 12\/21\/75]<\/p>\n

1980 to 1999<\/strong><\/p>\n

1981, Mar – New fire station opened, north of the passenger terminal. Replaced a former USAF maintenance hangar. The 8,200 square-foot hangar had slow-opening doors, so the doors had to remain open at all times for quick response of fire apparatus. In cold weather, the trucks were hard to start and the building was uncomfortable for firefighters. [SN, 9\/19\/80; SN 8\/9\/81]<\/p>\n

1980s – Oshkosh MB-5 acquired, surplus from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. By January 1988, had 100,000 miles and mechanical issues. [WMS, 1\/15\/88]<\/p>\n

1981, Jul – Public Safety Officer program, with personnel performing dual roles as firefighter and law officers. Firefighters were trained as law officers. The airport had 12 officers. [WMS, 9\/26\/86]<\/p>\n

1981, Jul 11 – Piper PA-31P, N7318L, crashed during an approach amid thunderstorm conditions. Pilot killed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1984, Aug 31? – Incident – Cessna Skylane crashed in Castle Hayne about 2.5 miles northwest of the airport. Three souls were aboard and all were injured. [WMS, 9\/1\/84]<\/p>\n

1984, Dec – Snapshot. Airport had four vehicles–two frontline and two reserve–and twelve firefighters. They answered 50 to 120 alerts per year. [WMS, 12\/_\/84]<\/p>\n

1987, Apr 23 – Incident – Twin-engine Air-Lift Commuter Swearingen Metro II, N505LB,cargo plane crashed shortly after take off and into a wooded area about a mile from a paved road. Both aboard were killed. [WMS, 4\/24\/87]<\/p>\n

1987, Aug 29 – News reported that Theodore H. Mayer, retired USAF, had been hired to direct the airport’s ARFF and security operations. [WMS, 8\/29\/87]<\/p>\n

1988, Jan – News reported that the airport\u2019s main crash truck had 19 major maintenance problems in the past four years, with the truck out of service for up to nine consecutive days. Under new regulations effective January 1, 1988, the airport\u2019s status would be lowered if its firefighting equipment was out of service for 48 hours, which was prevent the airport from handling large jets. The county planned to recommend purchase of a new large crash truck. The quick-response unit, which served as back up, had over 100,000 miles and its own mechanical issues. [WMS, 1\/_\/88]<\/p>\n

1988, Jun – News reported that the airport might acquire a surplus Oshkosh P-4 crash truck that was becoming available from Seymour Johnson AFB. The airport had budgeted $300,000 to replace the Oshkosh M-1500.<\/p>\n

1989 – General Assembly ratified legislation that allowed creation of an airport authority. On July 1, 1989, lease signed between county and airport authority to manage airport.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1989? – Two quick-response units added, 1989 Ford F-250 utility trucks with 100\/500# and\/or 250\/500# skid systems.<\/p>\n

1989, Jul 1? – Incident – Piedmont Airlines Boeing 737 experienced a blown tire and fire upon landing. One passenger was injured. [WMS, 7\/2\/89]<\/p>\n

1990? – 1990 Oshkosh T-1500 delivered.<\/p>\n

1990, May 4 – Incident – Twin-engine GAF Nomad, N418NE, cargo plane struck the approach-light system short of runway 34 and crashed. Both aboard were killed. [WMS, 5\/5\/90]<\/p>\n

1991, Jun – One (or both?) of the 1954 ALF crash truck(s) sold at surplus airport property auction. [SN, 6\/3\/91]<\/p>\n

1997 – Airport renamed Wilmington International Airport.<\/p>\n

1998, snapshot – Apparatus included both the Oshkosh M-1500 and an Oshkosh P-4.\u00a0<\/p>\n

2000 to Present<\/strong><\/p>\n

2001? – 2001 Oshkosh T-1500 delivered.\u00a0<\/p>\n

2009, Jan 4 – Incident – Cessna Citation 550, N815MA, exhausted its fuel after repeated approaches in fog and landed on an ILM runway with its gear retracted. Seven souls aboard, no injuries.\u00a0<\/p>\n

2011? – 2011 Rosenbauer Panther delivered.<\/p>\n

2024? – 2024 Oshkosh Striker delivered.<\/p>\n