Jefferson County and Fort Drum are partnering to bring commercial air service to Wheeler-Sack Airfield.

County Administrator Robert F. Hagemann III said plans are in the "exploratory" stage, but added that the alliance could greatly benefit the Watertown International Airport.

"It fits into our mission of expanding services," he said Friday. "Critical to that is lengthening the runway."

Mr. Hagemann said the county is stuck in a "chicken and egg" scenario. Its runway can't handle larger planes, which it needs to increase passenger traffic. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration won't help fund a runway extension until the county shows a greater level of enplanements.

Mr. Hagemann said Fort Drum can help "demonstrate the marketability" of the area. There were about 13,000 nondeployment-related departures by military personnel in 2005, but only 381 people used the Watertown airport that year.

"The ultimate intent is to be a demonstration program," said Mr. Hagemann. If Fort Drum opened service to civilian and military fliers at Wheeler-Sack, it could prove that Jefferson County is a market for a major carrier. That could convince the FAA to approve the runway extension at Watertown International, at which point Fort Drum would suspend the commercial air service.

Mr. Hagemann said the Army has the "potential to save a significant amount of money" in the arrangement by not busing its soldiers to Syracuse's Hancock International Airport.

Col. David J. Clark, Fort Drum's garrison commander, said the post asked the Army two weeks ago if it would allow commercial flights at the airfield.

"It's been done in other places, to our understanding," he said, citing Fort Hood, Texas, as an example.

Col. Clark expects a reply by month's end.

Meanwhile, Jefferson County has asked Passero Associates, its airline consultant, to determine potential carriers that could serve Wheeler-Sack.

"We haven't done that outreach in any great way yet," said Mr. Hagemann.

Both Col. Clark and Mr. Hagemann acknowledged that the post would have to address the proposal's security concerns and develop civilian access to the airfield, which is now restricted.

"The dialogue is ongoing," said Mr. Hagemann, adding that these discussions are not interrupting the county's efforts to bring an Essential Air Service carrier to the Watertown airport.