Craig Field Airport and Industrial Authority

A Legacy of Aviation and Innovation

Located just south of Selma, Alabama, Craig Field carries a proud legacy that spans both military history and modern industrial development. Originally established in 1940 as Craig Army Air Field, the site played a crucial role in training military pilots during World War II and continued to serve as a key United States Air Force flight training base throughout the Cold War era. For decades, the base represented excellence in aviation training and national defense, shaping the careers of countless aviators.

In 1977, the United States Air Force officially deactivated Craig Air Force Base. Rather than let this historic facility fade into obscurity, local and state leaders seized the opportunity to transform it into a center for economic growth and innovation. By 1978, the site became known as Craig Field Airport and Industrial Authority (CFAIA), a cooperative effort between public and private partners to revitalize the region’s economy through aviation and industrial enterprise.