David "Gunner" Wiles
Manager of Operations
Salina Airport Authority
As Manager of Operations, Gunner Wiles is responsible for managing the operations, maintenance, aircraft rescue and firefighting, and security activities at the Salina Municipal Airport and Salina Airport Industrial Center. He supervises, trains and leads construction projects, capital improvement planning, development of vehicle, equipment, building and airfield maintenance programs, and compliance with laws and regulations.
Wiles joins the Salina Airport Authority after a number of years in fire suppression technology and a career in the United States Marine Corps. Before retiring was a Warrant Officer in the Marines, he conducted flight line operations that included aircraft rescue and firefighting, aircraft recovery, airfield design and construction as well as fueling operations, range control and flight line security around the world. As emergency services officer and fire chief at the Marine Corps Base at Quantico, Va., he supported the Presidential Helicopter Squadron.
Wiles supports development of the Salina Municipal Airport and the Salina Airport Industrial Center. Known as America’s Fuel Stop, the Salina Municipal Airport is a familiar cross-country refueling location with two world-class FBOs selling more than four million gallons of aviation fuel annually.
As a member of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Contract Tower Program, the Salina Air Traffic Control Tower handles nearly 90,000 operations each year, including 7,000 business jets that stop for refueling. The Salina Airport Industrial Center is one of the nation’s most successful airport industrial parks with more than 80 businesses and organizations.
Wiles has participated in the following professional organizations:
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Member of the National Fire Protection Association 1801 Task Force
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Past President of the Navy, Marine Corps Fire Protection Association
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Member, Retired Officers Association
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Member, Marine Corps League
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Member, Kansas State Firefighters Association
Volunteer leadership roles include:
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Past member of numerous Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squads throughout the United States
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Member, Gypsum Rural Fire District 1, Saline County, KS
Awards:
