New Mexico World War II Army Airfields facts for kids

Quick facts for kids New Mexico 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 U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) built many airfields in New Mexico. These fields were used to train pilots and crews for fighter planes and bombers.

Most of these airfields were managed by two main groups. These were the Fourth Air Force and 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 also used airfields for support. These included the Air Technical Service Command (ATSC) and the Air Transport Command (ATC).

Even today, you can still find parts of these old wartime airfields. Many were turned into regular airports for cities. Some went back to being farmland. A few stayed as United States Air Force bases and were important during the Cold War. Hundreds of the temporary buildings from that time are still standing and are used for different things now.

Important Airfields in New Mexico

Many airfields in New Mexico played a big role during World War II. They helped train thousands of airmen. Here are some of the most important ones and what they are called today.

Airfields for Combat Training

These airfields were mainly used to train pilots and crews for actual fighting missions. They were part of the Second Air Force.

• Alamogordo AAF, near Alamogordo

  Today, this base is known as Holloman Air Force Base. It is still an active military base.

• Clovis AAF, near Clovis

  This airfield is now Cannon Air Force Base. It continues to be an important Air Force base.

• Kirtland Field, near Albuquerque

  This site is now Kirtland Air Force Base. It is a major Air Force research and development center.

Airfields for Technical Support

The Air Technical Service Command managed airfields that helped with aircraft repair and maintenance.

• Albuquerque AAF, near Albuquerque

  This airfield was combined with Kirtland Field in 1944.

Airfields for Training New Pilots

The Army Air Forces Training Command (AAFTC) ran many airfields focused on teaching new pilots and aircrews.

• Carlsbad AAF, near Carlsbad

  This location is now the Cavern City Air Terminal ((IATA: CNM, ICAO: KCNM, FAA LID: CNM)), a public airport.

• Deming AAF, near Deming

  In 1944, this airfield was moved to the Second Air Force. Today, it is the Deming Municipal Airport ((IATA: DMN, ICAO: KDMN)).

• Fort Sumner AAF, near Fort Sumner

  This site is now the Fort Sumner Municipal Airport ((IATA: FSU, ICAO: KFSU)), serving the local community.

• Hobbs AAF, near Hobbs

  This was known as Hobbs Army Airfield from 1942 to 1948. It is now the Hobbs Industrial Air Park.

• Roswell AAF, near Roswell

  This base was called Walker Air Force Base from 1947 to 1967. Today, it is the Roswell International Air Center (RIAC) ((IATA: ROW, ICAO: KROW, FAA LID: ROW)), a large airport.