In 1929, The Skillman Airport opened to the public on farm property formerly belonging to the Reeder Family.

During WWII, the nearby General Motors Inland Fisher Guide Plant ceased producing civilian vehicles and began making Grumman TBF Avenger, carrier-based, torpedo bombers for the U.S. Navy. Skillman Airport expanded to accommodate test flights for this aircraft, and after the airport returned to county control following the end of the war it was renamed Mercer County Airport.  After the war, the navy reestablished a presence with the construction of The Naval Air Warfare Center – Trenton. adjacent to the airport, which remained open until 1997.

In 1994, as a cost-cutting measure, the Mercer County Airport Police and Fire Department was disbanded and replaced by the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office (police) and ProTec Fire Services (Aircraft Fire Rescue).

In 1995, the airport’s name was changed to Trenton–Mercer Airport in an effort to identify it with the Capital city of Trenton.

On March 11, 1998, an FAA Automated Surface Observation System(ASOS) became operational at the airport, replacing the human weather observers that had previously reported weather conditions.

The airport is currently home to Army Aviation Support Facility #2 and the 1st Battalion, 150th Aviation Regiment, otherwise known as the 1-150th General Support Aviation Battalion of the New Jersey Army National Guard.  Equipped with UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, the battalion provides ground force commanders of the 42nd Mechanized Infantry Division with additional air assault, transportation, re-supply, and command and control assets.  In its state role under Title 32 United States Code, the unit also provides emergency logistical support in response to disasters or any other emergency support as may be directed by the Governor.

The airport is also home to the Twin Pine Composite Squadron (NER-NJ-092) of the New Jersey Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP).