The U.S. Coast Guard has started a $32 million airfield reconstruction project in North Carolina.
The service is modernizing Runway 1-19 at Base Elizabeth City, in Northeastern North Carolina. In partnership with the contractor RQ Construction, the efforts involve rebuilding the runway, upgrading the taxiways, and installing new airfield lighting.
Base Elizabeth City is an important Coast Guard installation that provides key functions for the service, including search and rescue missions. The critical infrastructure update will boost the performance of the base and preserve essential training and maintenance for the aviation fleet.
The project will restore a crosswind runway that, since 2008, has been unavailable for aircraft operations. The update will also provide additional operational capacity for the military and strengthen operational readiness.
‘Lifesaving and National Security Missions’
“Restoring Runway 1-19 optimizes our ability to execute lifesaving and national security missions every day throughout the East District,” Rear Admiral Zeita Merchant, commander of the Coast Guard East District said during a Tuesday ceremony to mark the start of the project.
It maximizes our response readiness and provides our aircrews with the tactical flexibility and agility to deploy day or night without delay.
RQ Construction was awarded the construction contract in August 2025 and is working under the oversight of the Coast Guard’s Facilities Design and Construction Center (FDCC), as well as in partnership with Air Station Elizabeth City’s airfield manager.
“Every Coast Guard mission begins and ends at a shore facility, and here at Base Elizabeth City, those missions begin and end on our runways,” Capt. Peter Bosma, commanding officer of FDCC, said in a statement. “This recapitalization restores essential airfield capacity, enhances safety and efficiency, and ensures our pilots, aircrews, and maintainers have the resilient infrastructure they need to support a modern and dynamic Coast Guard.”
Greg Murphy, a House Republican from North Carolina, attended the ceremony and after the event wrote on X: “I was proud to secure this funding in 2020. It’s great to see this investment moving forward to strengthen our Coast Guard and support those who serve.”
“The return of a safe and modern crosswind runway directly improves our ability to launch and recover aircraft when it matters most,” added Capt. Catherine Carabine, commanding officer of Air Station Elizabeth City. “It also advances the safety of the 85,000 operations expected by Coast Guard, Department of War, and civilian traffic who use this airfield and provides a critical solution for our air traffic controllers to deconflict aircraft.”
Base Elizabeth City’s primary runway will remain operational to avoid disruptions as the renovation continues. The construction is scheduled to continue through 2027.
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