Bono, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – August 4, 2024 – The U.S. Air Force used a section of U.S. Highway 63 to land aircraft Sunday morning as part of its Emerald Warrior exercise conducted in Arkansas, Florida, Nevada, and Puerto Rico.
Officers with the Craighead County Sheriff’s Department, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Highway Police and Bono Police Department diverted traffic on U.S. Highway 63 through Bono on Highway 63B beginning at midnight.
Before sunrise there were several night landings and takeoffs. “The night landings and takeoffs were using night vision equipment,” said Craighead County Sheriff Marty Boyd. “There were probably three landings and takeoffs before sunrise, and that plane was not a C130.” Boyd said he wasn’t sure what the plane used for night landings was.
Once there was daylight at least two C130s did several landings and takeoffs. “I would say there were probably at least 15 landings and takeoffs in all,” Boyd said.
The aircraft used a section of 63 from its intersection with State Highway 230 to the intersection of 63 and 63B on the North side of Bono as the landing strip. The aircraft taxied to the South side of the 230/63 intersection once they landed. Most of the landings were from South to North.
Boyd said he has been talking with military operations about the exercise for about six months. “The military knew exactly what they wanted to do and accomplish with this exercise,” Boyd said. “The level of planning and organization was impressive.”
The job for local law enforcement was to divert traffic off of Highway 63 safely and to keep the county and state roads clear in case there were large numbers of spectators. “There were a few we had to ask to move off the road, but the number of spectators was relatively small,” Boyd said.
Jonesboro resident Stacy Broadaway set-up his viewing spot on County Road 137 East of Bono. “I got here right about sunrise,” Broadaway said. “I am amazed at how little highway they’re using to land and take-off. It’s a fraction of the length I thought they would need.”
Boyd said the exercise was complete by mid-morning and Highway 63 was reopened. “Other than a few tire marks we didn’t observe any damage to the highway,” Boyd said. Representatives from the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) were onsite to observe.