Florida World War II Army Airfields facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Florida 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 US Army Air Forces (USAAF) built many airfields in Florida. These airfields helped protect the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico from enemy submarines. They also trained pilots and crews for USAAF fighter planes, attack planes, and light and medium bombers. After early 1944, crews for heavy bombers also trained in Florida. Two very important operations in Florida were the School of Applied Tactics and the Air Proving Grounds. These places tested and developed new ways to use aircraft.

Most of these airfields were managed by the Third Air Force, the AAF Antisubmarine Command (AAFAC), or the Army Air Forces Training Command (AAFTC). The AAFTC was the group that came before today's United States Air Force's Air Education and Training Command (AETC). The 26th Antisubmarine Wing was based in Miami. It controlled about 40% of the AAFAC squadrons. Other USAAF support groups, like the Air Technical Service Command (ATSC) and Air Transport Command (ATC), also managed many airfields to help with supplies and transport.

Even today, you can still find parts of these old wartime airfields. Many were turned into regular city airports. Others became part of the new United States Air Force in 1947. Two airfields stayed active USAF bases until 1960, and one until 1962. After that, they also became civilian airports. One became a joint civil-military airport, hosting a Florida Air National Guard fighter group until 1968. That airport then closed and was replaced by a new international airport and a new Air National Guard base.

Another airfield stayed an active base for Strategic Air Command (SAC) bombers, tankers, and reconnaissance planes. It also had an Aerospace Defense Command (ADC) unit. This base later added a commercial airport and became a joint civil-military airport in 1962. The USAF part closed in 1975, and it became a civilian international airport in 1976. A sixth airfield remained a Tactical Air Command (TAC) fighter base until 1995. It was badly damaged by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. It then became an Air Reserve Base for the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) fighter wing.

The remaining airfields that went from USAAF to USAF are still active U.S. Air Force bases today. They are controlled by groups like Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), Air Combat Command (ACC), and Air Mobility Command (AMC). Also, a former World War II naval air station was given to the USAF in the 1950s. It is still controlled by the Air Force Space Command (AFSPC). Many of the temporary buildings from World War II are still standing today. Some are still used for aviation, while others are used for different things.

Important Airfields in Florida
Other Airfields

Important Airfields in Florida

Airfields with Multiple Commands

Jacksonville Army Airfield, about 6.2 miles (10 km) north of Jacksonville

First used by the I Bomber Command (1941).
Then transferred to the Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command (1942-1943).
Squadrons from the 26th Antisubmarine Wing were here.
Later transferred to the III Bomber Command.

It became a smaller base for MacDill Field (1943).
It also became a smaller base for Chatam Army Airfield, Georgia (1943-1944).

Transferred to the Air Service Command (1944-1945).
Later known as Imeson Field Airport (1947-1968).
At the same time, the 125th Fighter-Interceptor Group of the Florida Air National Guard used it (1947-1968).
Now it is the Imeson Industrial Park. The airfield is closed, and flights moved to Jacksonville International Airport.

Third Air Force Bases

Drew Field, about 5.0 miles (8.0 km) west-northwest of Tampa

This was the main base for the Third Air Force and III Fighter Command.
The Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command also used it (1942-1943).
Squadrons from the 26th Antisubmarine Wing were here.
The 337th Fighter Group (Single Engine) was based here.
The 22d Bombardment Training Wing (Heavy) also trained here.
It was a training unit for heavy bombers.
The Army Air Force Aircraft Warning Unit Training Center was located here.
The 89th Combat Crew Training Wing was also here.
Important smaller bases and helper fields included:

Bartow Army Airfield
Brooksville Army Airfield
Hillsborough Army Airfield

Now it is Tampa International Airport (IATA: TPA, ICAO: KTPA, FAA LID: TPA).

MacDill Field, about 7.8 miles (12.6 km) south-southwest of Tampa

This was the main base for the III Bomber Command.
The 27th Air Base Group was here.
The 55th Bombardment Training Wing (Heavy) trained here.
The 326th Army Air Force Base Unit was also here.
The Air Transport Command also used this base.
Important smaller bases and helper fields included:

Bonita Springs Auxiliary Field
Brooksville Army Airfield
Hillsborough Army Airfield
Fort Myers Army Airfield
Lakeland Army Airfield

Now it is MacDill Air Force Base (IATA: MCF, ICAO: KMCF, FAA LID: MCF).

Avon Park Army Airfield, about 10.7 miles (17.2 km) east-northeast of Avon Park

It started as a smaller base for MacDill Field.
The III Bomber Command used it.
The 88th Bombardment Group (Heavy) was based here.
It was a training unit for heavy bombers.
Later, it was Avon Park Air Force Base (1949-1956).
Now it is Avon Park Air Force Range and MacDill AFB Auxiliary Field (ICAO: KAGR, FAA LID: AGR).

Lakeland Army Airfield / Drane Field, about 5.3 miles (8.5 km) southwest of Lakeland

It started as a smaller base for MacDill Field (Drane Field).
The III Bomber Command used it.
The 60th Flying Training Detachment trained medium bomber crews.
Transferred to III Fighter Command (1943).
The Commando Squadron Fighter Training School was here.
Now it is Lakeland Linder International Airport (1960-Present) (IATA: LAL, ICAO: KLAL, FAA LID: LAL).

Pinellas Army Airfield, about 9.9 miles (15.9 km) north-northwest of St. Petersburg

The III Fighter Command used it.
It started as a smaller base for Sarasota Army Airfield.
It was a training unit for single-engine fighter planes.
Now it is St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (IATA: PIE, ICAO: KPIE, FAA LID: PIE).
It is also used by Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater and the Army Reserve Army Aviation Support Facility.

Dale Mabry Army Airfield, about 3.4 miles (5.5 km) west of Tallahassee

The III Fighter Command used it.
The 338th Fighter Group (Single Engine) was based here.
It was a depot for replacing fighter planes.
The 335th Army Air Force Base Unit trained fighter pilots.
Important smaller bases and helper fields included:

Thomasville Army Airfield (Georgia)
Harris Neck Army Airfield (Georgia)
Perry Army Airfield
Carrabelle Flight Strip#2

Later, it was Dale Mabry Field, a commercial airport (1946-1961).
Now it is the campus of Tallahassee Community College. The airfield is closed.

Bartow Army Airfield, about 4.9 miles (7.9 km) northeast of Bartow

The III Fighter Command used it.
The 54th Fighter Group (Single Engine) was based here.
It was a training unit for single-engine fighter planes.
Later, it was Bartow Air Base (1950-1961).
Now it is Bartow Municipal Airport (IATA: BOW, ICAO: KBOW, FAA LID: BOW).

Sarasota Army Airfield, about 4.4 miles (7.1 km) north-northwest of Sarasota

The III Bomber Command used it first.
Later, the III Fighter Command used it.
The 337th Fighter Group (Single Engine) was based here.
It was a training unit for single-engine fighter planes.
Important smaller bases and helper fields included:

Fort Myers Army Airfield
Lake Wales Army Airfield
Pinellas Army Airfield
Punta Gorda Army Airfield
Immokalee Army Airfield

Now it is Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (IATA: SRQ, ICAO: KSRQ, FAA LID: SRQ).

Venice Army Airfield, about 2.1 miles (3.4 km) south-southeast of Venice

The III Fighter Command used it.
The 27th Service Group (Air Service Command) also used it.
The 53d Fighter Group (Single Engine) was based here.
It was a training unit for single-engine fighter planes.
The 422d Army Air Force Base Unit was also here.
Now it is Venice Municipal Airport (IATA: VNC, ICAO: KVNC, FAA LID: VNC).

AAF Training Command Bases

Eastern Flying Training Command

Marianna Army Airfield, about 5.1 miles (8.2 km) north-northeast of Marianna

The 17th Single Engine Flying Training Group (Advanced-Single Engine) was here.
The 325th Army Air Force Base Unit was also here.
Important smaller bases and helper fields included:

Ellis Auxiliary Field
Malone Auxiliary Field
Bascom Auxiliary Field
Alliance Auxiliary Field

Later, it was Graham Air Base (1951-1960).
Now it is Marianna Municipal Airport (ICAO: KMAI, FAA LID: MAI).

Hendricks Field, about 6.6 miles (10.6 km) east-southeast of Sebring

This was a special school for training pilots on four-engine planes.
The 76th Army Air Force Base Unit was here.
Important smaller bases and helper fields included:

Conners Auxiliary Field
Immokalee Army Airfield

Now it is Sebring Regional Airport (IATA: SEF, ICAO: KSEF, FAA LID: SEF).

Buckingham Army Airfield, about 10 miles (16 km) east of Fort Myers

This was the Army Air Forces Flexible Gunnery School.
The 38th Flexible Gunnery Training Group was here.
The 328th Army Air Force Base Unit was also here.
An important smaller base was Naples Army Airfield.
Now it is Buckingham Field Airport (FAA LID: FL59).

Tyndall Field, about 7.5 miles (12.1 km) southeast of Panama City

This was also an Army Air Forces Flexible Gunnery School.
The 38th Flexible Gunnery Training Group was here.
The 69th Army Air Force Base Unit was also here.
An important smaller base was Apalachicola Army Airfield.
Now it is Tyndall Air Force Base (IATA: PAM, ICAO: KPAM, FAA LID: PAM).

Eastern Technical Training Command

Boca Raton Army Airfield, about 2.1 miles (3.4 km) northeast of Boca Raton

The 3501st Army Air Force Base Unit (Technical School, Radar) was here.
The airfield became Boca Raton Airport (IATA: BCT, ICAO: KBCT, FAA LID: BCT).
The main station area became Florida Atlantic University.

Contract Flying Schools

During the war, the AAF also used private flying schools to help train pilots.

Avon Park Municipal Airport, about 1.4 miles (2.3 km) west-southwest of Avon Park

The Lodwick Aviation Military Academy operated here.
The 61st Army Air Force Fight Training Detachment (Contract Flying) was here.
Now it is Avon Park Executive Airport (IATA: AVO, ICAO: KAVO, FAA LID: AVO).

Lodwick Field, about 2.1 miles (3.4 km) north-northeast of Lakeland

The Lodwick Aviation Military Academy operated here.
The 60th Flying Training Detachment (Contract Pilot School) was here.
The Royal Air Force also trained here.
This airfield closed in 1957 and is now a recreation area.

Riddle Field, about 7.4 miles (11.9 km) west-southwest of Clewiston

The Riddle-McKay Aero College operated here.
The 75th Flying Training Detachment (Contract Pilot School) was here.
The Royal Air Force also trained here.
Now it is Airglades Airport (FAA LID: 2IS).

Taylor Field Airport, about 2.1 miles (3.4 km) southwest of Ocala

The Greenville Aviation School operated here.
They also used the AAFSAT Ocala Bombing Range.
This airfield closed in 1962 and is now an industrial park.

Carlstrom Field, about 6.4 miles (10.3 km) southeast of Arcadia

The Riddle Aeronautical Institute operated here.
The 53d Flying Training Detachment (Contract Pilot School) was here.
The 2148th Army Air Force Base Unit (Contract Pilot School) was also here.
The Royal Air Force also trained here.
This airfield closed in 1945 and is now the Desoto County Juvenile Correctional Complex.

Dorr Field, about 11.6 miles (18.7 km) east of Arcadia

The Riddle Aeronautical Institute operated here.
The 54th Flying Training Detachment (Contract Pilot School) was here.
The 2148th Army Air Force Base Unit (Contract Pilot School) was also here.
The Royal Air Force also trained here.
This airfield closed in 1945 and is now the Desoto County Correctional Institution.

Chapman Field, about 11.1 miles (17.9 km) south-southwest of Miami

This field was used for training by civilians, the Army Air Forces, and the Navy.
The Riddle Aeronautical Institute also used it.
This airfield closed in 1947. Part of it is now the Chapman Field Subtropical Horticulture Research Station.

Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics

This school was important for teaching advanced tactics and strategies.

Orlando Army Air Base, about 2.9 miles (4.7 km) east of Orlando (1941-1947)

First used by the I Bomber Command (1941-1942).
Also used by the Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command.
The 13th Bombardment Group was here (1942-1943).
This was the main base for the Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics (1942).
The 9th Bombardment Group (Heavy) was based here.
The 50th Fighter Group (Special) was here.
This was also the main base for the Army Air Force Interceptor Command School (1943).
The 481st Night Fighter Operational Training Group trained here.
Important smaller bases and helper fields included:

Brooksville Army Airfield
Bushnell Army Airfield
Kissimmee Army Airfield
Cross City Army Airfield (1942-1946); later Cross City Air Force Station (1958-1970).
Zephyrhills Army Airfield

The airfield became Orlando Municipal Airport (1946).
Now it is Orlando Executive Airport (IATA: ORL, ICAO: KORL, FAA LID: ORL).
The ground station became Orlando Air Force Base (1947-1967).
The ground station was then transferred to the United States Navy as Naval Training Center Orlando (1968-1999).
Now it is the Baldwin Park neighborhood in Orlando.

Pinecastle Army Airfield, about 8.7 miles (14.0 km) south-southeast of Orlando

This was a smaller base for Orlando Army Airbase (1942-1945).
It was the AAFSAT Technical Center.
Transferred to the Air Proving Ground Command (1945).
Later, it was Pinecastle Air Force Base (1951-1958).
It was then renamed McCoy Air Force Base (1958-1975).
Now it is Orlando International Airport (IATA: MCO, ICAO: KMCO, FAA LID: MCO).

Alachua Army Airfield, about 4.2 miles (6.8 km) northeast of Gainesville

This was a smaller base for Orlando Army Airbase (1942-1943).
It was an AAFSAT training unit for medium bombers.
The 415th Bombardment Group (Medium) was here.
Transferred to III Fighter Command (1943).
The Commando Squadron Fighter Training School was here.
Important smaller bases and helper fields included:

Cross City Army Airfield
Keystone Army Airfield
Leesburg Army Airfield
Montbrook Army Airfield

Now it is Gainesville Regional Airport (IATA: GNV, ICAO: KGNV, FAA LID: GNV).

Dunnellon Army Airfield, about 5.2 miles (8.4 km) east of Dunnellon

This was a smaller base for Orlando Army Airbase (1942-1944).
It was the AAFSAT Night Fighter Department.
The 420th Night Fighter Squadron was here.
Transferred to III Fighter Command (1944).
The Commando Troop Carrier Training School was here.
An important smaller base was Canal Auxiliary Field.
Now it is Dunnellon/Marion County Airport (FAA LID: X35).

Air Transport Command Bases

These bases were used to move troops, supplies, and aircraft.

Homestead Army Air Base, about 6.0 miles (9.7 km) east-northeast of Homestead

This was Station 8, Caribbean Wing, ATC.
The 563d Army Air Force Base Unit was here.
It was Dade County Airport (1945-1955).
It was Homestead Air Force Base (1955-1994).
Now it is Homestead Air Reserve Base (1994-Present) (IATA: HST, ICAO: KHST, FAA LID: HST).

Miami Army Airfield (36th Street Airport), in Miami

This was used by both civilians and the Army Airfield.
The Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command also used it.
It was the main base for the 45th Bombardment Group (I Bomber Command) (1942).
It was the main base for the 26th Antisubmarine Wing (1942-1943).
The Army Air Forces Pilot School (Miscellaneous Fields) was here.
It was operated by Pan American Airways.
Later, the 408th Army Air Force Base Unit (Contract pilot training) was here.
The 1595th Army Air Force Base Unit (First Foreign Transport Group) was here.
The 1105th Army Air Force Base Unit (ATC Caribbean Wing) was also here.
Now it is Miami International Airport (IATA: MIA, ICAO: KMIA, FAA LID: MIA).

Morrison Field, about 3.4 miles (5.5 km) southwest of West Palm Beach

First used by the 8th Pursuit Wing, III Interceptor Command.
The Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command also used it.
Squadrons from the 26th Antisubmarine Wing were here.
This was the main base for the Caribbean Wing, ATC.
The 427th Army Air Force Base Unit was here.
The United States Navy also used it.
Later, it was Palm Beach Air Force Base (1951-1962).
Now it is Palm Beach International Airport (IATA: PBI, ICAO: KPBI, FAA LID: PBI).

Proving Ground Command Bases

These bases were used for testing and developing new aircraft and weapons.

Eglin Field, about 3.1 miles (5.0 km) southwest of Valparaiso

This was the main base for the Army Air Forces Proving Ground Command.
It had many smaller helper fields:

Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field #1: Now Eglin AFB Aux Fld #1, Wagner Field.
Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field #2: Now Eglin AFB Aux Fld #2 Pierce Field.
Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field #3: Now Eglin AFB Aux Fld #3, Duke Field.
Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field #4: Now Eglin AFB Aux Fld #4, Peel Field.
Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field #5: Now Eglin AFB Aux Fld #5, Piccolo Field.
Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field #6: Now Eglin AFB Aux Fld #6 Biancur Field and Camp Rudder (since 1958).

Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field #7: Now Eglin AFB Aux Fld #7, Epler Field.
Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field #8: Now Eglin AFB Auf Fld #8, Baldsiefen Field.
Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field #9: Previously Eglin AFB Aux Fld #9, Hurlburt Field (1947-1955). Now Hurlburt Field.
Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field #10 (Dillon Field) (1943): Now Naval Outlying Landing Field Choctaw (United States Navy).
Santa Rosa Island Range Complex: Now Santa Rosa Island Range Complex.

Now it is Eglin Air Force Base (IATA: VPS, ICAO: KVPS, FAA LID: VPS).

Other Airfields

Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS) Boca Chica, about 6.1 miles (9.8 km) east-northeast of Key West

The Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command used it (1942-1943).
Squadrons from the 26th Antisubmarine Wing were here.
Now it is Naval Air Station Key West (IATA: NQX, ICAO: KNQX, FAA LID: NQX).

Naval Outlying Field (OLF) Marathon, about 2.6 miles (4.2 km) east-northeast of Marathon

The Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command used it (1942-1943).
Squadrons from the 26th Antisubmarine Wing were here.
Now it is Florida Keys Marathon Airport (IATA: MTH, ICAO: KMTH, FAA LID: MTH).

Naval Outlying Field Meacham, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east of Key West

The Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command used it (1942-1943).
Squadrons from the 26th Antisubmarine Wing were here.
Now it is Key West International Airport (IATA: EYW, ICAO: KEYW, FAA LID: EYW).

Lantana Airport, about 8.7 miles (14.0 km) south-southwest of West Palm Beach

The Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command used it (1942-1943).
Squadrons from the 26th Antisubmarine Wing were here.
Now it is Palm Beach County Park Airport (IATA: LNA, ICAO: KLNA, FAA LID: LNA).

Flagler Beach Airport, in Flagler Beach

The Civil Air Patrol used it.
The Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command also used it (1942-1943).
Squadrons from the 26th Antisubmarine Wing were here.
It closed around 1945 and is now abandoned.

Jasper CAA Site#43, about 2.8 miles (4.5 km) south-southeast of Jasper

This was likely an emergency landing airfield.
It closed around 1950 and is now farmland.

Pomona Field, about 0.9 miles (1.4 km) east of Pomona Park

This was likely an emergency landing airfield.
Now it is Pomona Landing Airport (FAA LID: 78FL).

Quincy Municipal Airport, about 1.7 miles (2.7 km) east-northeast of Quincy

This was likely an emergency landing airfield.
Now it is Quincy Municipal Airport (FAA LID: 2J9).

Withlacoochee Army Airfield, about 8.2 miles (13.2 km) east of Lacoochee

The Dugway Proving Ground Mobile Chemical Warfare Testing Unit used it.
It closed around 1945 and is now abandoned.

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