Smyrna History: Sewart Air Force Base
Did you know that the Smyrna Airport was a training base for B-24 and B-17 pilots during World War II?
The photo above (from the Rutherford Courier) shows a stunning formation of planes flying over the base on the day it was renamed in 1951 to honor Major Allen J. Sewart Jr.
This base shaped far more than military history—it helped shape Smyrna itself. From Smyrna's beginnings as farmland and its Civil War connections to its growth into a major industrial hub with one of Tennessee’s busiest airports (and the Great Tennessee Air Show!), Sewart’s legacy lives on in Smyrna’s progress, pride, and strong sense of community.
Let’s take a moment to honor the service members, families, and local leaders who helped weave Sewart’s story into Smyrna’s history—and celebrate how the Smyrna Airport Authority continues to carry that legacy forward!
👉 Click here to read more thanks to the Rutherford County Tennessee Historical Society.
