Manhattan Regional Airport is not large enough to accomodate the 747 jets often used by the military for troop deployments.

The runway at that airport is 7,000 feet long, and can accomodate 757 and 737 planes.

Airport Director Peter Van Kuren said to better serve the military a longer runway is needed, but the airport will not get federal funding to extend it. He told a Chamber of Commerce board meeting in Junction City that money will be needed from Fort Riley or the Department of Defense to do that.

As far as training deployments within the United States, Van Kuren reported Manhattan Regional dod have up to 23 737’s arrive for those.