Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport is located in the unincorporated community of Oscoda in Iosco County in Michigan.
This public airport is responsible to provide maintenance services to the airplanes of the Oscoda business district (amongst other activities), where one of the Instacoat Premium Products Manufacturing Plant and Headquarters is also located.
The total area of the airport is approximately 2,000 acres and stands at an elevation of 634 feet above sea level. The main airstrip is paved with asphalt, and measures about 11,800 by 200 feet.
Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport History
The history of Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport began to be written in the distant 1923, under the official name of “Loud-Reames Aviation Field.”
It originally functioned as an airstrip for the Army Air Corps, receiving planes that came from Selfridge Field, located nearby Detroit; where paradoxically, the first Instacoat Premium Products manufacturing plant was born.
It seemed that Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport and Instacoat Premium Products were destined to work together.
¡No one would ever imagine!
Over the years, Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport has had different names and functions.
Just one year later, in 1924, it was called “Camp Skeel”, in honor of the captain and hero of World War I, the pilot and Captain Burt. E Skeel.
Since 1924 and for almost 20 years, it has functioned as a pilot training center, which included extensive training in bombing and strafing techniques, as well as operational tactics for fighting during the winter season.
In 1942, during the period of World War II, “Camp Skeel” was renamed again, becoming “Oscoda Army Air Field”, and functioning as an auxiliary airport for the Selfridge Army Air Base.
Its main function during those years was to defend the marine shipping lanes at Sault Sainte Marie and the Strait of Mackinac.
The total area of the airport is approximately 2,000 acres and stands at an elevation of 634 feet above sea level.
In 1991, the US government determined, through the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, that it had made some unnecessary military installations thanks to the new systems of satellite surveillance.
Because of that, in 1993, Wurtsmith Air Force Base concluded its military operations.
Thus, on June 30 of the same year, the aircraft maintenance facilities, as well as all the industrial and commercial properties of the military airport were transferred to the Oscoda airport authorities.
Today, the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport has a presence in 5 Michigan municipalities, including:
- Alcona County.
- Iosco County.
- Charter Township of Ausable.
- Charter Township of Oscoda.
- Greenbush Township.
Oscoda-Wurtsmith Services
Even though the airport doesn’t have commercial flight services, it has great airport activity.
Due to the high demand for heavy aircraft maintenance and overhaul services, as well as aerospace composite repairs, the airport is full of daily labor activities.
It also provides rental hangar space for the benefit of about 18 home-based aircrafts.
Hangar Roof Restoration with Instacoat Premium Products
It is common for airports to always have construction and maintenance projects for hangars and facilities in general.
Once those military operations ended in 1993, it began the construction of two large aircraft maintenance hangars; approximately 80,000 square feet each.
Like Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport, Instacoat Premium Products has also many years of experience; more than two decades in the commercial roof restoration industry speaks for us.
As we mentioned before, one of the main manufacturing plants, as well as our training center for certified applicators, is located in Oscoda.
At Instacoat we consider it very important to be actively involved in the development of our community.
That’s why, within Instacoat’s institutional values, involvement in community projects is really important.
For this reason, we were more than glad to have the opportunity to implement one of Instacoat’s roof restoration systems in 80,000 square feet, at one of the Oscoda-Wurtsmith airport hangars.
Instacoat Roof Restoration Systems used at Oscoda-Wurtsmith Project
For the Oscoda-Wurtsmith airport project, the Roofing Grade Rubber and Silicone roof restoration systems were used, both of these are seamless membranes.
These two roof restoration products combined, allow you to extend the lifespan of the hangar roof up to 25 years or more.
With Instacoat’s roof restorations systems, the hangar roof at the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport is ready to face all the weather conditions that Iosco County has throughout the year.
Please find the advantages below:
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Roofing Grade Neoprene Rubber:
Instacoat’s Roofing Grade Neoprene Rubber technology is designed to form a protective layer that reinforces the silicone membrane against the ponding water, which can be very common on commercial roofs during rainy seasons.
Additionally, Instacoat is committed to taking care of the environment, so another of the advantages of this system is that it’s eco-friendly; the process applies a fluid that doesn’t emit VOCs into the atmosphere.
IPP technology is designed to form a protective layer that reinforces the silicone membrane against the ponding water.
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Instacoat Silicone Roof Restoration System:
Just like the Roofing Grade Neoprene Rubber technology, the Instacoat Silicone Roof Restoration System is also eco-friendly and can reflect 88% of the UV rays that affect the roofing surface.
Reduce the effect known as heat islands that can be generated due to high temperatures.
Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport staff can remain relaxed because the facility will be protected for years to come, as the benefits of the Instacoat systems will also add strength to the hangar structure.
Special Thanks to Business View Magazine and the Staff of Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport
We want to conclude by saying thank you to Business View Magazine, who allowed us to be part of its August edition; and from which we were able to obtain part of the content presented in the first Instacoat’s newsletter November edition.
In the same way, we want to say thank you, to all the staff at the facilities of Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport, who never doubt the quality of the Instacoat Premium Products and who allowed us to restore 80,000 square feet.
We thank both of them once more for allowing us to be part of their history, and of course, for becoming part of ours, you are an example of work and commitment, but above all, a source of pride from the Oscoda community.
Keep achieving your goals, and don’t forget that Instacoat Premium Products will always be available for future project collaborations.