Alabama World War II Army Airfields facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alabama World War II Army Airfields
 |
|
|---|---|
| Part of World War II | |
| Type | Army Airfields |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1940–1944 |
| In use | 1940–present |
During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) built many airfields in Alabama. These airfields were super important for two main reasons. First, they helped protect the Gulf of Mexico from enemy submarines. Second, they were used to train thousands of pilots and aircrews for USAAF fighter and bomber planes.
Most of these airfields were managed by two main groups: the Third Air Force or the Army Air Forces Training Command (AAFTC). The AAFTC was a big part of what is now the United States Air Force's Air Education and Training Command. Other groups, like the Air Technical Service Command (ATSC), also used many airfields to help with supplies and repairs.
Even today, you can still find parts of these old wartime airfields. Many of them became regular airports for cities. Some were turned back into farmland. A few even stayed as United States Air Force bases and were important during the Cold War. You can also find hundreds of the old temporary buildings that were used, now serving new purposes.
Contents
Alabama's Major Airfields in WWII
Airfields for Coastal Defense
The Third Air Force was in charge of airfields that helped protect the coast and nearby areas. They focused on keeping the waters safe from enemy attacks.
- Demopolis Army Air Field
- Camp Sibert Army Air Field
Training Airfields for Pilots
The Army Air Forces Training Command (AAFTC) had a huge job: training all the pilots needed for the war. Many of these training schools were in Alabama.
Eastern Flying Training Command Bases
- Courtland Army Air Field
- Craig Field
- Location: About 5 miles (8.0 km) southeast of Selma.
- Role: This was an advanced flying school, mainly for single-engine planes. Pilots from the Free French Air Force also trained here.
- Later: It became Craig Air Force Base after the war, operating until 1977.
- Today: It is now the Craig Field Airport (IATA: SEM, ICAO: KSEM, FAA LID: SEM).
- Gunter Field
- Location: About 2 miles (3.2 km) northeast of Montgomery.
- Role: Gunter Field was a basic flying school, teaching new pilots the fundamentals of flight.
- Today: It is now
Gunter Annex, which is a non-flying facility for the US Air Force. Part of it is also the Montgomery Regional Airport.
- Maxwell Field
- Location: About 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Montgomery.
- Role: Maxwell was a very important center. It was the headquarters for the Southeast Air Corps Training Center and later the Eastern Flying Training Command. It also had a pre-flight school for pilots.
- Today: It is now Maxwell Air Force Base (IATA: MXF, ICAO: KMXF, FAA LID: MXF), home to the Air University.
- Tuskegee Army Air Field
- Location: About 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Tuskegee.
- Role: This famous airfield was a key training ground for the Tuskegee Airmen, who were African American military pilots. They received both basic and advanced flight training here.
- Today: It is now Sharpe Field (IATA: TGE, FAA LID: AL73). You can learn more about the Tuskegee Airmen at the nearby Moton Field's Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site.
Contract Flying Schools
Some pilot training was done by private companies under contract with the Army Air Forces. These schools helped train even more pilots quickly.
- Bates Field
- Decatur Field
- Location: About 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Decatur.
- Role: This field was used for primary flight training, teaching new pilots the very first steps of flying. It was run by Southern Airways.
- Today: It is now the Pryor Field Regional Airport (IATA: DCU, ICAO: KDCU, FAA LID: DCU).
- Roberts Field Airport
- Location: About 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Birmingham.
- Role: This airfield also provided glider training.
- Today: It is now an industrial site.
- Hargrove Van de Graaft Airport
- Location: About 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Tuscaloosa.
- Role: This school offered primary flight training and was run by the Alabama Institute of Aeronautics.
- Today: It is now the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport (IATA: TCL, ICAO: KTCL, FAA LID: TCL).
- Moton Field
- Location: About 4 miles (6.4 km) northwest of Tuskegee.
- Role: This field was crucial for the primary flight training of the Tuskegee Airmen, run by the Tuskegee Institute.
- Today: It is now the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site and the Moton Field Municipal Airport (FAA LID: 06A).
Airfields for Support and Maintenance
The Air Technical Service Command (ATSC) was responsible for repairing, maintaining, and supplying aircraft and equipment.
- Birmingham Army Air Field
- Location: About 5 miles (8.0 km) northeast of Birmingham.
- Role: This airfield was used for maintenance and supply, and also by the Third Air Force and Air Transport Command for moving supplies and people.
- Today: It is now Birmingham Air National Guard Base (IATA: BHM, ICAO: KBHM, FAA LID: BHM).
- Brookley Field
- Location: About 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Mobile.
- Role: Brookley Field was a huge center for aircraft repair and supply. It was a major air depot for the entire region. It was also used by the Air Transport Command.
- Later: It became Brookley Air Force Base from 1948 to 1969.
- Today: It is now the Mobile Downtown Airport (IATA: BFM, ICAO: KBFM, FAA LID: BFM).
Smaller Airfields in Alabama
Besides the major bases, several smaller airfields also played a part in the war effort in Alabama.
- Fort McClellan Army Air Field
- Location: About 6 miles (9.7 km) north-northeast of Anniston.
- Role: It supported the US Army activities at Fort McClellan.
- Today: It is now abandoned.
- Huntsville Arsenal Army Air Field
- Location: About 6 miles (9.7 km) southwest of Huntsville.
- Role: This airfield supported the US Army's Huntsville Arsenal.
- Today: It is now Redstone Army Airfield (IATA: HUA, ICAO: KHUA, FAA LID: HUA).
- Chilton CAA Intermediate Field
- Location: About 1 mile (1.6 km) northeast of Clanton.
- Role: Its specific use by the USAAF is not fully known.
- Today: It is now the Chilton County Airport (FAA LID: 02A).
- Thomas C. Russell Field
- Location: About 2 miles (3.2 km) south-southwest of Alexander.
- Role: Its specific use by the USAAF is not fully known.
- Weedon Field
- Location: About 4 miles (6.4 km) north-northeast of Eufaula.
- Role: Its specific use by the USAAF is not fully known.
