Minter Army Airfield auxiliary fields were a number of airfields used during World War II to support the Minter Army Airfield (now the Shafter Airport) near Shafter, California. Minter Army Airfield was also called Lerdo Field, after the nearby road. Minter Army Airfield also housed the Shafter Gap Filler Annex P-59A and Shafter Army Aviation Test Activity and opened in June 1941. An Army depot open on the base in October 1941, the Minter Sub-Depot, a division of the Sacramento Air Depot. Minter Army Airfield had 7,000 troops and civilians working at the base.
Minter Army Airfield was named after First Lieutenant Hugh C. Minter, a World War I veteran killed in a mid-air collision at March Field in July 1932. The Army built three 4,500-foot runways on the 1,466-acre site, to support training activities need for World War II. Also at Airfield were built three square landing mat. The From Minter Army Airfield the United States Army Air Corps's Western Flying Training Command started training the needed pilots. To support the training of the many pilots, Minter Army Airfield operated a number of auxiliary airfields. Some auxiliary fields were no more than a landing strip, others were other operation airfield that supported the training at the Minter Army Airfield. The Vultee BT-13 Valiant and Boeing-Stearman Model 75 were the most common plane used for training at Minter Army Airfields, but large bombers were trained also. Minter Army Airfield auxiliary fields were: [1]
Wasco Auxiliary Field or Wasco Field No. 1 was a satellite airfield of Minter Field, 1.5 miles north the town of Wasco, California, at 35°37′11″N119°21′13″W / 35.61972°N 119.35361°W at an elevation of 313 ft (95 m). The US Army leased the small 40-acre Wasco Airport and 120 acres north of the airport from Kern County on June 16, 1941. Minter Field was 12 miles to the southeast of Wasco Field. The Army built a five-runway landing mat on the site, with no other improvements. In 1944 Pond Field was closed and the lease ended on June 30, 1951. The Wasco Auxiliary Field is now the Wasco-Kern County Airport a single runway on a public airport. [2] [3]
Pond Auxiliary Field or Pond Field No. 2 or was a satellite airfield of Minter Field, just south/west of the town of Pond, California, at 35°42′36″N119°20′59″W / 35.71000°N 119.34972°W . The US Army leased 158 acres from Kern County on June 16, 1941. Minter Field was 16 miles southeast of Pond Field. The Army built a 5 runway landing mat on the site, with no other improvements. On August 8, 1942, Stewart Smith was killed while approaching Pond Field, he was with the 525th School Squadron, his plane stalled 6 miles west of Pond Field on. In May 1944 Pond Field was closed and the lease ended. Pond Field was located at what is now northeast of the intersection of Peterson Road & Magnolia Avenue, in Pond, California. There is no trace of the airfield and the land is now used for agriculture. [4] [5]
Famoso Auxiliary Field or Minter Auxiliary Field No. 3' was a satellite airfield of Minter Field for flight training. Famoso Auxiliary Field was located 2 miles north of Famoso, California, and 24 miles north-northwest of Bakersfield in Kern County at 35°38′20″N119°12′35″W / 35.63889°N 119.20972°W . The US Army acquired 500 acres from County of Kern on July 1, 1941. Minter Field / Lerdo Field is 9 miles to the south of Famoso Auxiliary Field. The Army built a 3,000 × 3,000-foot landing area, three buildings: Stage House, Crash Truck Shelter and Latrine. Pilot Leroy McDonald as killed in an A BT-13 trainer crash at Famoso Field on April 22, 1942, on plane serial no. 41–10699. After the war, Famoso Auxiliary Field was closed and there is no trace of the former landing mat. Famoso Auxiliary Field was at what is now east of Highway 99 and south of Whistler Road. [6] [7]
Dunlap Auxiliary Field also called Minter Field Auxiliary Field No. 4 and Jasmin Field was a satellite airfield of Minter Field. Located in Jasmin, California in Kern County at 35°44′05″N119°07′00″W / 35.73472°N 119.11667°W . Dunlap Auxiliary Field was 19 miles south-southwest of Minter Field at an elevation of 530 feet. Dunlap Auxiliary Field was open in 1941 on a 210.22 acres site and used to train World War II pilots in landing and take off. The site was also used as emergency landing airfield. The runway was a square mat 2,640 feet by 2640 feet. The mat was used for Boeing-Stearman Model 75 trainer bi-planes. No improvements were built at the airfield. There was two crash accidents at Dunlap Field, a BT-13 trainer crash-landed on April 8, 1942, the planes serial no. was 41–9665, piloted by William Raabe. An North American T-6 Texan AT-6C trainer crashed at Dunlap Field on July 23, 1945, it was serial no. 42–3911, piloted by Kay Nelson. After the war the field was closed on 8 October 1946 and no trace of the airfield can be seen today. The Dunlap Auxiliary Field was located at the present-day site of (north of) Hart Avenue and between Kyte Avenue and Quality Road, one mile east of Jasmin in a vineyard of Pandol and Sons. The site is between California State Route 99 and California State Route 65. [8] [9]
Semitropic Auxiliary Field or Semitropic Auxiliary Field No. 5 was a satellite airfield of Minter Field for flight training. Semitropic Auxiliary Field was 7 miles southeast of Minter Field. Semitropic Auxiliary Field was located 8 miles west of Wasco, California at 35°45′25″N119°29′05″W / 35.75694°N 119.48472°W in Kern County at an elevation of 265 feet. In 1942 the US Army acquired 600 acres of land for the runway from 11 landowners. The Army built: crash truck shelter, stage house, latrines, 3,000 by 3,000-foot landing mat and a runway. One crash happened one mile north of the runway on October 24, 1943, Otto Piepnbrink was killed in a BT-13A trainer, he was with the 324th Basic Flight Training Squadron. At the end of the war the land was sold on November 20, 1946. There is no trace of the airfield and the land is now used for agriculture by three owners. [10] [11]
Poso Auxiliary Field or Poso Field Aux No. 6 was a satellite training airfield of Minter Field, just south-east of the town of Poso, California, renamed Famoso, California at 35°35′45″N119°08′05″W / 35.59583°N 119.13472°W at an elevation of 635 feet. Poso Auxiliary Field is west of Wasco, California. Minter Field was 7 miles to the southwest of Poso Auxiliary Field. Poso Auxiliary Field covered 400 acres. A 3,000 by 3,000 landing mat was built in 1942. Poso Auxiliary Field was closed on October 8, 1946. In 1950 the west of runway became the Famoso Raceway, a Dragstrip. The east side became Poso Airport, also called the Poso-Kern County Airport. [12] [13] [14]
Lost Hills Auxiliary Field or Lost Hills Field No. 7 was a satellite airfield of Minter Field, just north of the town of Lost Hills, California at 35°37′20″N119°40′50″W / 35.62222°N 119.68056°W . In 1942 the War Department received the free use of land from Mrs. Jean Atkinson on November 5, 1942. Later in 1943 the Army added 288.26 acres of free land was received from Standard Oil Company of California on August 30, 1943. The Army built a 5,000-foot runway and a 1,600-foot clay landing strip at Lost Hills Auxiliary Field. The 5,000-foot runway was used for training bomber pilots like the North American B-25 Mitchell and Lockheed P-38 Lightning. Lost Hills Auxiliary Field was closed on January 11, 1945, and became the Lost Hills Airport a public airport. [15] [16]
Gardner Army Airfield is a former United States Army Air Force World War II Field located 9 miles southeast of Taft, California. It was named for Major John H. Gardner, a World War I aviator hero.
Lost Hills Airport, also known as Lost Hills-Kern County Airport, was a public airport located one mile (1.6 km) northeast of the central business district (CBD) of Lost Hills, in Kern County, California, United States. It was mostly used for general aviation. It was closed in March 2019.
Wasco Airport, also known as Wasco-Kern County Airport, is a public airport located two miles (3.2 km) northwest of Wasco, serving Kern County, California, USA. This general aviation airport covers 158 acres (64 ha) and has one runway.
Poso Airport, also known as Poso-Kern County Airport, is a county-owned public-use airport located four nautical miles (7 km) east of the central business district of Famoso, in Kern County, California, United States. It is mostly used for general aviation.
Shafter Airport, also known as Minter Field and formerly known as Air Corps Basic Flying School, is a public use airport located four nautical miles east of the central business district of Shafter and 14 miles northwest of Bakersfield, a city in Kern County, California, United States. Originally a World War II primary training facility for pilots, it is currently a public airport owned by the Minter Field Airport District. This airport is included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015, which categorized it as a general aviation facility.
The Famoso Bakersfield Raceway dragstrip is located in McFarland, California just north of Bakersfield, California, and is known historically as the home to the annual March Meet, also known as the U.S. Fuel and Gas Championships.
During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) established numerous airfields in California for training pilots and aircrews of USAAF fighters and bombers.
Lemoore Army Air Field, located nine miles (14 km) southwest of Lemoore, California, was a dirt air field usable only in dry weather. It nevertheless was used by the AAF Western Flying Training Command as a processing and training field.
Eagle Field is a privately owned, private use airport in Fresno County, California, United States. It is located seven nautical miles southwest of the central business district of Dos Palos, a city in neighboring Merced County.
California during World War II was a major contributor to the World War II effort. California's long Pacific Ocean coastline provided the support needed for the Pacific War. California also supported the war in Europe. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, most of California's manufacturing was shifted to the war effort. California became a major ship builder and aircraft manufacturer. Existing military installations were enlarged and many new ones were built. California trained many of the troops before their oversea deployment. Over 800,000 Californians served in the United States Armed Forces. California agriculture, ranches and farms were used to feed the troops around the world. California's long coastline also put the state in fear, as an attack on California seemed likely. California was used for the temporary and permanent internment camps for Japanese Americans. The population of California grew significantly, largely due to servicemen who were stationed at the new military bases/training facilities and mass influx of workers from around the U.S. in the growing defense industries. With all the new economy activity, California was lifted out of the great depression. Over 500,000 people moved to California from other states to work in the growing economy. California expanded its oil and mineral production to keep up with the war demand.
Helm Field also called Lemoore Auxiliary Army Airfield A-7 is a former US Army Airfield use for training during World War II. Helm Field was location in the town of Coalinga, California, 70 miles south of Fresno. Helm Field had two 3,000 foot runways, one oriented east/west and one oriented northwest/southeast. The Airfield was on a 773 acres site of form farm land. The US Army purchased the land on January 11, 1943 for training pilots. The Airfield was used by the Lemoore Basic Flying School, based at the Lemoore Army Air Field. Helm Field was 15 miles northwest of Lemoore Army Air Field. The Army built at Helm Field to support training stage house, control tower, motor pool building, crash truck shelter and latrines. Helm Field was used by Air Corps Basic Flying School, the AAF Basic Flying School, the AAF Pilot School, the 88th Air Base Squadron, the 3023rd Army Air Force Pilot School and the 461st Army Air Force Base Unit. The army closed Helm Field on October 15, 1844 and the Airfield was sold by the War Assets Administration. Helm Field was used as a farm labor camp in the 1950s. The east/west runway was returned to farmland. The northwest/southeast runway was still intact and was used as a civilian airfield till 1971.
Chico Army Airfield auxiliary fields were a number of airfields used during World War II to support the Chico Army Airfield. On September 11, 1941, the US Army rented from the City of Chico a small 1930's airport that sat on 160 acres (0.65 km2) of land. The Airfield was five miles (8.0 km) north of the city center. The Army built up the small airport into the Chico Army Airfield. From the Chico Army Airfield operated the: United States Army Air Corps's Army Air Forces Basic Flying School, the Army Air Force Pilot School, the 10th Base Headquarters an Air Base Squadron and the 433rd Army Air Force Base Unit or Combat Crew Training Station of Fighter. To support the training of the many pilots, Chico Army Airfield operated a number of auxiliary airfields. Some auxiliary fields were no more than a landing strip runway, others were other operation airfield that supported the training at the Chico Army Airfield.
Gardner Army Airfield auxiliary fields were a number of airfields used during World War II to support the Gardner Army Airfield. May 12, 1943 the US Army leased 1,396.36 acres for Gardner Field, located 9 miles southeast of Taft, California. Gardner Army Airfield was named after Major John H. Gardner, a World War I aviator hero. The Army built three runways to support training activities need for World War II. From Gardner Army Airfield the United States Army Air Corps's Western Flying Training Command started training the needed pilots. To support the training of the many pilots, Gardner Army Airfield operated a number of auxiliary airfields. Some auxiliary fields were no more than a landing strip, others were other operation airfield that supported the training at the Gardner Army Airfield. The Vultee BT-13 Valiant and Boeing-Stearman Model 75 were the most common planes used for training at Gardner Army Airfields, but large bombers were trained also. Gardner Army Airfield auxiliary fields were:
Victorville Army Airfield auxiliary fields were four airfields used during World War II to support the Victorville Army Airfield pilot training near Victorville, California, and Adelanto, California. After the war the Victorville Army Airfield was renamed George Air Force Base on January 13, 1948. The airfields were built in 1941 by the United States Army Air Corps just before the war. Victorville Army Airfield covered 2,200-acre in the Mojave Desert. The US Army held a groundbreaking ceremony on 12 July 1941. The base, called Victorville Army Flying School, was ready to use before the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The Army built four runways in a triangle configuration, with one runway down the middle of the triangle. Seven hangars were built to support operation. On April 23, 1943, the base was renamed Victorville Army Airfield.
Merced Army Air Field auxiliary fields were built to support pilot training at the Merced Army Air Field. In 1940 the US Army wanted to built near Merced, California a 30,000 per year basic pilot training base. The former city of Cuba, Merced County, California near the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway rail line was chosen at 37°22′50″N120°34′05″W at an elevation of 181 feet (55 m) for the main base, in Atwater, California. United States Army Air Corps leased the land from the City of Merced on 16 June 1941. Building the airbase school started on 8 July 1941 and opened on 20 September 1941 as a sub base of Army Air Forces Western Flying Training Command at Moffett Field. First called Air Corps Basic Flying School, Merced. The US Army moved part of the: 98th Bombardment Group, 539th School Squadrons, 540th School Squadrons, 541st School Squadrons, the 90th Air Base Squadron, and the 340th Material Squadron at Moffett Field to the new base in November 1941. The Air Corps Basic Flying School was renamed the Merced Army Flying School on 7 April 1942. To support the training auxiliary fields near the Merced Army Flying School were to be built for the flight training program. Merced Army Flying School was renamed the Merced Army Air Field on May 1943 and became part of the Western Flying Training Command.
Condor Field was an airbase located in Twentynine Palms, California used for training both in World War II and the Korean War. From 1939 to 1942, and from 1945 to 1949, it was operated as a civil airport. The now-abandoned airfield is on the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. In about 1939, a 3,000-foot runway was built at the southeast edge of dry lake Mesquite Lake as a civil field and named Twenty Nine Palms Airfield.
Naval Air Station Livermore has nearby airfield landing strips to support the training of US Navy pilots during World War 2. The airfield are called Naval Outlying Landing Field (NOLFs). For the war many new trained pilots were needed. The Naval Outlying Landing Fields provided a place for pilots to practice landing and take off without other air traffic. The remotes sites offered flight training without distractions. Most of the new pilots departed to the Pacific War after training. The Outlying Landing Fields had little or no support facilities. Naval Air Station Livermore opened in 1942 and closed in 1951. The Outlying field closed in 1945, having completed the role of training over 4000 new pilots. To open the needed Outlying Landing Fields quickly, the Navy took over local crop dusting and barnstorming airfields.
Naval Air Station Los Alamitos Naval Outlying Landing Fields were a set airfield near Naval Air Station Los Alamitos to support the training of US Navy pilots during World War 2. The support airfields are called Naval Outlying Landing Field (NOLF). For the war, many new trained pilots were needed. The Naval Outlying Landing Fields provided a place for pilots to practice landing and take off without other air traffic. The remotes sites offered flight training without distractions. Most of the new pilots departed to the Pacific War after training. The Outlying Landing Fields had little or no support facilities. Naval Air Station Los Alamitos opened in 1942 and was transferred to the US Army in 1977 as Los Alamitos Army Airfield. Most of the Outlying fields closed in 1945, having completed the role of training new pilots. To open the needed Outlying Landing Fields quickly, the Navy took over local crop dusting and barnstorming airfields. Naval Air Station Los Alamitos was also called Los Alamitos Naval Reserve Air Base. During the war Marine Corps Air Station El Toro also used the outlying Landing Field. The Timm N2T Tutor was the most common plane used for training on the outlying landing fields.
Sweetwater Dam Naval Outlying Landing Field was a airfield near Naval Auxiliary Air Station Brown Field and Naval Air Station North Island used to support the training of US Navy pilots during World War 2. The runway built in 1944 was located in what is now a neighborhood 8 mile east of San Diego, California. The Navy support airfields are called Naval Outlying Landing Field (NOLF). For the war, many new trained pilots were needed. The Naval Outlying Landing Field provided a place for pilots to practice landing and take off without other air traffic. Sweetwater Dam site offered flight training without distractions. Most of the new pilots departed to the Pacific War after training. The Sweetwater Dam Outlying Landing Field had no support facilities. After the war the Outlying field closed in 1946, having completed the role of training new pilots. Sweetwater Dam Naval Outlying Landing Field and Sweetwater Carrier Landing Strip. The Landing Field had a single 3,000-foot east/west asphalt runway. The Navy leased 135.45 acres of grassland from Rancho de la Nación for the Landing Field. In 1949 the runway became a private civil airport, the Sweetwater Dam Airport also called the Paradise Mesa Airstrip. The Airport is named after the nearby Sweetwater Dam that makes the Sweetwater Reservoir. The Airport closed in 1951 and the runway became home to the Paradise Mesa Drag strip. The Carlsbad, California's Oilers Club help start the drag strip with the first meet on March 11, 1951. At its peak, 25 clubs were using the strip. The drag strip closed in 1959. Houses were built on the site, now called Paradise Hills and no trace of the runway can be found today. Part of the site is also the Daniel Boone Elementary School.