Atlanta Army Airfield
Encyclopedia
Atlanta Army Airfield is a former United States Army Air Corps
training facility that operated on the grounds of the present Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport during World War II
.
began a massive expansion program. The quickest way to obtain additional airbases was to take over existing municipal airports where the runways were already in place.
To provide a base for a reconnaissance squadron for the Second Army, the War Department
and the Chief of the Air Corps approved the establishment of a base at Candler Field, just south of Atlanta, Georgia
. Although the Air Force later regretted the decision to build at Atlanta due to the large amount of airline traffic, construction nevertheless began in late 1940.
On 30 November 1940, the Army Air Corps activated Atlanta Army Airfield and assigned it to the Southeast Air District
. It assigned the 30th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
to Atlanta, equipping it with Douglas O-38
biplanes and later Stinson L-1s. The 128th Observation Squadron
, a Georgia National Guard
unit, activated on 1 May 1941. One month later, the 4th Tow Target Squadron also activated.
With a complement of 14 enlisted men and no aircraft or officers, the unit moved on to Hunter AAF in Savannah, Georgia
one month later. In September 1941, the 128th Observation Squadron transferred to Lawson AAF
, at Fort Benning
.
The servicing of military aircraft soared. In 1940, the base serviced 5,911 aircraft. In 1941, the number almost doubled to 11,686. During 1941/1942, the Works Project Administration extended the existing runways at Candler Field as well as building two additional runways. During this period, the base took on the additional mission of the medical examination and processing of prospective aviation cadets.
After the 30th Observation Squadron transferred to Tullahoma AAF, Tennessee
in June 1942, Atlanta was reassigned to the Air Technical Service Command under the control of Warner-Robins Air Depot Control Area. Its primary mission of servicing transient aircraft, with the Embry Riddle Company (Overhaul Division) being the prime contractor at the airfield. In 1942 the base serviced an average of 2,180 aircraft a month. The next year, the number jumped to 8,167 per month. To accomplish this task, the complement of enlisted men rose from 79 in 1940 to 556 in 1943.
According to figures compiled by the CAA, Atlanta was the busiest controlled airport in the United States during 1943. The AAF established an Air Freight Terminal on 1 February 1944. Six daily flights were scheduled with C-47 aircraft to Dayton
, Newark
, Miami, San Antonio, and Salina, Kansas
.
Atlanta Army Airfield closed on 1 June 1946 and the military facilities were turned over to civil control on 25 June. After the war Air Force Reserve and Georgia Air National Guard
units were formed at Marietta AAF, northwest of the city.
Today, Atlanta's Candler Field is known as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
, and it is one of the world's biggest and busiest airports bearing no resemblance to the wartime facility. The only structures on airport property remaining from its military use during World War II
are Delta Airline's original office and hangar still in use by the airline.
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
training facility that operated on the grounds of the present Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
History
With the fall of France in 1940, the Army Air CorpsUnited States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
began a massive expansion program. The quickest way to obtain additional airbases was to take over existing municipal airports where the runways were already in place.
To provide a base for a reconnaissance squadron for the Second Army, the War Department
United States Department of War
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department , was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army...
and the Chief of the Air Corps approved the establishment of a base at Candler Field, just south of Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. Although the Air Force later regretted the decision to build at Atlanta due to the large amount of airline traffic, construction nevertheless began in late 1940.
On 30 November 1940, the Army Air Corps activated Atlanta Army Airfield and assigned it to the Southeast Air District
Third Air Force
The Third Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Forces in Europe . It is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany....
. It assigned the 30th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
30th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
The 30th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 75th Tactical Reconnaissance Group stationed at Key Field, Mississippi...
to Atlanta, equipping it with Douglas O-38
Douglas O-38
-References:*The complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft Editors: Paul Eden & Soph Moeng, , 1152 pp.-External links:...
biplanes and later Stinson L-1s. The 128th Observation Squadron
128th Airborne Command and Control Squadron
The 128th Airborne Command and Control Squadron is a unit of the Georgia Air National Guard that flies the E-8C Joint STARS. Its parent unit is the 116th Air Control Wing....
, a Georgia National Guard
Georgia National Guard
The Georgia National Guard is the National Guard of the U.S state of Georgia consists of the Georgia Army National Guard and the Georgia Air National Guard...
unit, activated on 1 May 1941. One month later, the 4th Tow Target Squadron also activated.
With a complement of 14 enlisted men and no aircraft or officers, the unit moved on to Hunter AAF in Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
one month later. In September 1941, the 128th Observation Squadron transferred to Lawson AAF
Lawson Army Airfield
Lawson Army Airfield is a military airport located at Fort Benning in Chattahoochee County, Georgia, south of the city of Columbus, Georgia. It is Fort Benning's primary Force Projection Platform.- Facilities :Lawson Army Airfield has one runway:...
, at Fort Benning
Fort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
.
The servicing of military aircraft soared. In 1940, the base serviced 5,911 aircraft. In 1941, the number almost doubled to 11,686. During 1941/1942, the Works Project Administration extended the existing runways at Candler Field as well as building two additional runways. During this period, the base took on the additional mission of the medical examination and processing of prospective aviation cadets.
After the 30th Observation Squadron transferred to Tullahoma AAF, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
in June 1942, Atlanta was reassigned to the Air Technical Service Command under the control of Warner-Robins Air Depot Control Area. Its primary mission of servicing transient aircraft, with the Embry Riddle Company (Overhaul Division) being the prime contractor at the airfield. In 1942 the base serviced an average of 2,180 aircraft a month. The next year, the number jumped to 8,167 per month. To accomplish this task, the complement of enlisted men rose from 79 in 1940 to 556 in 1943.
According to figures compiled by the CAA, Atlanta was the busiest controlled airport in the United States during 1943. The AAF established an Air Freight Terminal on 1 February 1944. Six daily flights were scheduled with C-47 aircraft to Dayton
Dayton
Dayton is a city in Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, Ohio, United States.Dayton may also refer to:-United States:*Dayton, Alabama*Dayton, California, in Butte County*Dayton, Lassen County, California*Dayton, Idaho*Dayton, Indiana...
, Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, Miami, San Antonio, and Salina, Kansas
Salina, Kansas
Salina is a city in and the county seat of Saline County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 47,707. Located in one of the world's largest wheat-producing areas, Salina is a regional trade center for north-central Kansas...
.
Atlanta Army Airfield closed on 1 June 1946 and the military facilities were turned over to civil control on 25 June. After the war Air Force Reserve and Georgia Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
units were formed at Marietta AAF, northwest of the city.
Today, Atlanta's Candler Field is known as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport , known locally as Atlanta Airport, Hartsfield Airport, and Hartsfield–Jackson, is located seven miles south of the central business district of Atlanta, Georgia, United States...
, and it is one of the world's biggest and busiest airports bearing no resemblance to the wartime facility. The only structures on airport property remaining from its military use during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
are Delta Airline's original office and hangar still in use by the airline.
See also
- Georgia World War II Army AirfieldsGeorgia World War II Army AirfieldsDuring World War II, the United States Army Air Force established numerous airfields in Georgia for antisubmarine defense in the Gulf of Mexico and for training pilots and aircrews of USAAF fighters and bombers....
- Air Technical Service Command