Cape Field at Fort Glenn
Encyclopedia
Cape Field at Fort Glenn also known as Umnak Airport, is a site significant for its role in World War II
fighting. It "provided aerial defensive cover for the U.S. bases in Unalaska Bay" and "is the most comprehensive and intact World War II base in the Aleutian Islands" It is located on Umnak Island in the Aleutian Islands.
"Constructed between January and April 1942, Cape Field's first runway was then the U.S. Army's most westerly airfield in the Aleutian Islands." "In June 1942 aircraft from Cape Field participated in a counterattack after the Japanese attacked the Dutch Harbor naval and army installations on nearby Amaknak Island
." It "also served as the initial forward base to launch bombing attacks on Japanese installations on Attu
and Kiska
" islands.
"By the close of 1942, Fort Glenn had 10,579 personnel, but its role as an advanced air base had been supplanted by facilities on Adak Island
farther to the west. Buildings, runways, and World War II artillery emplacements remain." It was decommissioned in 1950.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
and declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1987.
On Saturday July 12, 2008, nearby Mount Okmok
, erupted, sending ash 50,000 feet in the air and forcing the evacuation of the ranch.
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...
fighting. It "provided aerial defensive cover for the U.S. bases in Unalaska Bay" and "is the most comprehensive and intact World War II base in the Aleutian Islands" It is located on Umnak Island in the Aleutian Islands.
"Constructed between January and April 1942, Cape Field's first runway was then the U.S. Army's most westerly airfield in the Aleutian Islands." "In June 1942 aircraft from Cape Field participated in a counterattack after the Japanese attacked the Dutch Harbor naval and army installations on nearby Amaknak Island
Amaknak Island
Amaknak Island or Umaknak Island is an islet in Unalaska Bay, northeast of Unalaska Island in the Fox Islands group of the Aleutian Islands in southwest Alaska. The Dutch Harbor area of Unalaska, Alaska is on Amaknak Island...
." It "also served as the initial forward base to launch bombing attacks on Japanese installations on Attu
Attu Island
Attu is the westernmost and largest island in the Near Islands group of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, making it the westernmost point of land relative to Alaska and the United States. It was the site of the only World War II land battle fought on the incorporated territory of the United States ,...
and Kiska
Kiska
Kiska is an island in the Rat Islands group of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska located at . It is about long and varies in width from - Discovery :...
" islands.
"By the close of 1942, Fort Glenn had 10,579 personnel, but its role as an advanced air base had been supplanted by facilities on Adak Island
Adak Island
Adak Island is an island near the western extent of the Andreanof Islands group of the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. Alaska's southernmost town, Adak, is located on the island...
farther to the west. Buildings, runways, and World War II artillery emplacements remain." It was decommissioned in 1950.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
and declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1987.
On Saturday July 12, 2008, nearby Mount Okmok
Mount Okmok
Mount Okmok is the highest point on the rim of Okmok Caldera on the northeastern part of Umnak Island in the eastern Aleutian Islands of Alaska, USA. This 5.8 mile wide circular caldera truncates the top of a large shield volcano...
, erupted, sending ash 50,000 feet in the air and forcing the evacuation of the ranch.
USAAF units stationed at Fort Glenn Army Airfield
- 21st Bombardment Squadron (28th Bombardment Group) (June 11, 1942 – September 19, 1943)
- 36th Bombardment Squadron (28th Bombardment Group)(June 4, 1942 – May 1, 1943)
- 73d Bombardment Squadron (28th Bombardment Group) (1942–1943)
- 77th Bombardment Squadron (28th Bombardment Group)(December 29, 1941 – December 29, 1941)
- 404th Bombardment Squadron (28th Bombardment Group) (August 24–30, 1942)
- 11th Fighter Squadron (343d Fighter Group) (May 26 – June 30, 1942)
- 344th Fighter Squadron (343d Fighter Group)(March 8 – May 23, 1943)
See also
- Alaska World War II Army AirfieldsAlaska World War II Army AirfieldsDuring World War II, Alaska was a major United States Army Air Force location for personnel, aircraft, and airfields to support Lend-Lease aid for the Soviet Union...
External links
- History of Fort Glenn on Umnak Island
- Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Fort Glenn Army Airfield / Otter Point Naval Air Facility