Smyrna Airport was built in 1942 after the federal War Department chose Smyrna for an air facility because of its favorable weather and topography, access to rail, capability for emergency landings, and room to expand. It became home to the Army Air Force Combat Crew School and trained many of the nation's military pilots. After World War II, the airport continued to operate intermittently as a military facility until 1970, when it became largely civilian. That year, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority took control, and on May 15, 1991, transferred management to the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority, which began rebuilding the aging airport into an economic engine and transportation hub for Smyrna and the surrounding region. Today the town of Smyrna and Rutherford County own and operate the airport under a board representing Smyrna, Rutherford County, and LaVergne. Covering more than 1,700 acres, it is Tennessee's third largest airport and the state's busiest general aviation airport, providing private charter and corporate aircraft services, flight training, and repair. Its terminal and business center serve as a hub for corporate travel, its control tower records more than 400 operations each day, more than $20 million has been spent on improvements since 1991, and more than 1,200 people, including National Guard personnel, work there.