Quick facts for kids Arizona World War II Army Airfields
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| 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 Arizona. These fields were used to train pilots and aircrews for USAAF fighter planes and bombers.
Most of these airfields were managed by the Fourth Air Force or the Army Air Forces Training Command (AAFTC). The AAFTC was an early version of today's United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command. Other USAAF groups, like the Air Technical Service Command (ATSC) and Air Transport Command (ATC), also used many airfields for support.
You can still find parts of these old wartime airfields today. Many became public airports, some were turned back into farms, and a few are still used by the United States Air Force. They even served as important bases during the Cold War. Hundreds of the temporary buildings from that time are still standing and are used for different things now.
Arizona's World War II Airfields
During World War II, Arizona's clear skies and open spaces made it a perfect place for flight training. Many airfields were built quickly to help prepare American airmen for combat. These fields played a huge role in the war effort.
Air Transport Command Fields
The Air Transport Command (ATC) was in charge of moving planes and supplies.
- Coolidge Army Air Field
- Located about 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of Coolidge.
- Today, it is the Coolidge Municipal Airport (FAA LID: P08).
- Winslow Municipal Airport
- Located in Winslow.
- Today, it is the Winslow–Lindbergh Regional Airport (IATA: INW, ICAO: KINW).
Fourth Air Force Fields
The Fourth Air Force was a major command that helped defend the western United States and trained aircrews.
- Davis–Monthan Field
- Located in Tucson.
- It was active from April 1941 to November 1945.
- Today, it is
Davis–Monthan Air Force Base (IATA: DMA, ICAO: KDMA).
- Sahuarita Flight Strip
- This was an auxiliary (support) field for Davis–Monthan AAF.
- It is about 2 mi (3.2 km) east of Sahuarita.
- Today, it is part of S. Sahuarita Park Rd.
Air Technical Service Command Fields
The Air Technical Service Command (ATSC) handled aircraft maintenance, supply, and engineering.
- Tucson Army Air Field
- Located in Tucson.
- This airfield was used by both the USAAF and civilians.
- Today, it is Tucson International Airport (IATA: TUS, ICAO: KTUS).
- It is also Morris Air National Guard Base, home to the 162d Fighter Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard.
Civilian Pilot Training Program Fields
The Civilian Pilot Training Program helped train many new pilots for the war.
- Ernest A. Love Field
- Located in Prescott.
- This field was used by the USAAF, the U.S. Navy, and civilians.
- Today, it is Prescott Municipal Airport (IATA: PRC, ICAO: KPRC).
Army Air Forces Training Command Fields
The Army Air Forces Training Command (AAFTC) was responsible for training most of the pilots and aircrews.
- Douglas Army Air Field
- Located about 8 miles (13 km) north-northwest of Douglas.
- It was an advanced flying school from October 1942 to October 1945.
- Today, it is Bisbee Douglas International Airport (IATA: DUG, ICAO: KDUG, FAA LID: DUG).
- Hereford Army Airfield
- This was an auxiliary field for Douglas Army Air Field.
- It is about 2 mi (3.2 km) west-southwest of Hereford.
- Today, this airfield is closed and abandoned.
- Falcon Field Army Air Field
- Located in Mesa.
- It was a Western Flight Training Center.
- Today, it is Falcon Field Airport (IATA: MSC, ICAO: KFFZ).
- Kingman Army Airfield
- Located about 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Kingman.
- It served as a gunnery school from August 1942 to June 1945.
- Today, it is Kingman Airport and Industrial Park (IATA: IGM, ICAO: KIGM).
- Yucca Army Airfield
- This was a sub-base of Kingman Army Airfield.
- It is about 1 mile (1.6 km) west of Yucca.
- Today, it is the Chrysler Arizona Proving Ground, which is not a flying facility.
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- Luke Field
- Located in Glendale.
- It was an advanced flying school from May 1941 to July 1946.
- Today, it is Luke Air Force Base (IATA: LUF, ICAO: KLUF).
- Ajo Army Air Field
- This was an advanced flying school for fixed gunnery.
- It is about 5 mi (8.0 km) north of Ajo.
- Today, it is Eric Marcus Municipal Airport (FAA LID: P01).
- Gila Bend Army Air Field
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Army Air Forces Western Flying Training Command Fields
This command oversaw flight training in the western United States.
- Marana Army Air Field
- Located about 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Marana.
- It was a basic flying school from July 1942 to September 1945.
- Today, it is Pinal Airpark (IATA: MZJ, ICAO: KMZJ).
- Auxiliaries of Marana Army Air Field:
- Marana Auxiliary Army Airfield No. 1 (also called Picacho Field)
- Located in Picacho.
- Today, it is Picacho Stagefield ARNG Heliport (ICAO: KPCA).
- Marana Auxiliary Army Airfield No. 2 (also called Rillito Field)
- Located in Marana.
- Today, it is Marana Regional Airport (IATA: AVW, ICAO: KAVQ).
- Marana Auxiliary Army Airfield No. 5 (also called Sahuaro Field)
- Located in Pima County.
- Today, it is El Tiro Gliderport (FAA LID: AZ67).
- Ryan Field
- Located in Tucson.
- It was used for primary flying training from June 1942 to September 1944.
- Today, it is Ryan Field Airport (IATA: RYN, ICAO: KRYN).
- Thunderbird Field No. 1
- Located in Glendale.
- It provided primary flying training from July 1941 to May 1945.
- Today, it is Arizona Christian University, which is not a flying facility.
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- Thunderbird Field No 2
- Located in Scottsdale.
- It offered primary flying training from June 1942 to October 1944.
- Today, it is Scottsdale Airport (IATA: SCF, ICAO: KSDL).
- Williams Field
- Located in Mesa.
- It was an advanced flying school from June 1941 to June 1948.
- It was later Williams Air Force Base (1947–1993).
- Today, it is Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport (IATA: AZA, ICAO: KIWA).
- Auxiliaries of Williams Air Force Base:
- Williams Field Auxiliary No. 2 (also called Rittenhouse Field)
- Located in Queen Creek.
- Today, it is Rittenhouse Army Heliport (FAA LID: AZ38).
- Williams Field Auxiliary No. 3 (also called Casa Grande Field)
- Located in Casa Grande.
- Today, it is Casa Grande Municipal Airport (ICAO: KCGZ, FAA LID: CGZ).
- Williams Auxiliary Airfield No. 5 (also called Goodyear Auxiliary Airfield)
- Yuma Army Air Field
- Located about 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Yuma.
- It was used for advanced flying, gunnery, and radar observer training from September 1942 to November 1945.
- It was later Vincent Air Force Base (1951–1959).
- Today, it is
 Marine Corps Air Station Yuma (IATA: YUM, ICAO: KYUM).
- Sub-bases of Yuma Army Air Field:
- Dateland Army Air Field
- Located about 10 mi (16 km) east of Yuma.
- Today, this airfield is closed and abandoned.
- Laguna Army Airfield
- Located about 12 mi (19 km) northeast of Yuma.
- Today, it is Laguna Army Airfield (IATA: LGF, ICAO: KLGF).
- Yuma Auxiliary Army Airfield No. 1
- Yuma Auxiliary Army Airfield No. 2
- Today, it is an auxiliary airfield for Marine Corps Air Station Yuma on the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range.
- Yuma Auxiliary Army Airfield No. 3
- Today, it has been turned into agricultural fields.
- Yuma Auxiliary Army Airfield No. 4 (also called Rolle Field)
- Located about 14 mi (23 km) south of Yuma.
- Today, it is Rolle Airfield (FAA LID: 44A).
- Yuma Auxiliary Army Airfield No. 5
- Located in Wellton.
- Today, this airfield is closed and abandoned.
- Yuma Auxiliary Army Airfield No. 6 (also called Colfred)
- Located about 45 mi (72 km) east of Yuma. It was later used for drone and missile testing.
- Today, this airfield is closed and abandoned.
- Yuma Auxiliary Army Airfield No. 7
- Located in Stoval.
- Today, it is a training field on the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range.
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