Newport Municipal Airport (M19)
What to know
Arkansas Congressman Wilbur Mills was one of the most influential members of the U.S. Congress during World War II. As a native of nearby Kensett, Mills exercised his power to have Newport selected as an Army Airfield site during World War II. The flat topography of the region lent itself to airport usage. When the project was announced in May 1942, it was not without controversy because 31 farm families had to be displaced. Because of emergency wartime conditions and the influence of Congressman Mills, the airfield was constructed and fully operational within three months.