Iowa World War II Army Airfields
Template:Use American English Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Infobox military structure During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) established three airfields in Iowa.
Most of these airfields were under the command of First Air Force or the Army Air Forces Training Command (AAFTC). However Air Technical Service Command (ATSC) used the Des Moines airfield.
It is still possible to find remnants of these wartime airfields. Two were converted into municipal airports, some were returned to agriculture. Hundreds of the temporary buildings that were used survive today, and are being used for other purposes.
Major Airfields
| USAAF Name Current Name |
Mission | Host Unit | Location | Coordinates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines International Airport Des Moines Air National Guard Base |
Joint Use USAAF/Civil Airport Air Technical Services Command 1st Concentration Command |
842d Army Air Forces Specialized Depot | Des Moines | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | Used by ATSC as an Aircraft/Crew processing center for heavy bomber crews. Remained in use by Iowa Air National Guard after war ended and now a joint civil-military airport. |
| Sioux City Army Air Base Sioux Gateway Airport Sioux City Air National Guard Base |
II Bomber Command B-17/B-24 Bomber Training |
354th Army Air Force Base Unit | Sioux City | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | Closed 1945. Used by Air Defense Command as an Interceptor base, 1946-1968; Ground Control Radar station, 1959-1970. Now joint-use civilian airport and Iowa ANG base for KC-135 air refueling aircraft. |
| Spencer Field Spencer Municipal Airport |
Army Air Forces Training Command Contract Flying Instruction |
Hunter Flying Service School, Primary Flight Instruction | Spencer | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | The mission of the school was to train glider pilot students in proficiency in operation of gliders in various types of towed and soaring flight, both day and night, and in servicing of gliders in the field. Inanctivated 1944 |
References
- Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. Template:ISBN.
- Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. Template:ISBN.
- Thole, Lou (1999), Forgotten Fields of America : World War II Bases and Training, Then and Now - Vol. 2. Pictorial Histories Pub . Template:ISBN
External links
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