List of airfields of the Training Section of the United States Army Air Service

This is a list of the airfields used by the Training Section, Air Service, United States Army during World War I.

Overview
The history of aviation training in the United States military began on 8 October 1909, when Wilbur Wright began instructing Lieutenants Frank P. Lahm and Frederic E. Humphreys on Signal Corps Airplane No. 1, which the Army had recently purchased from the Wright brothers. Each of the two men received a little over three hours training before soloing on 26 October 1909. Flying training in the Army remained on a small scale until the outbreak of World War I in April 1917.

During World War I, approximately 23,000 volunteers entered flying cadet training. Eight private and state universities offered preflight (ground school) training. Primary and advanced training were more of a problem because, in April 1917 when the United States entered the war, the Army had fewer than 100 flying officers and only three flying fields-- Hazelhurst Field, Mineola, New York; Chandler Field, Essington, Pennsylvania; and Rockwell Field, San Diego, California. Chandler Field was closed in the summer of 1917 as inadequate, and its personnel and equipment transferred to the new Gerstner Field, Louisiana. Because it would take a long time to construct adequate training facilities in the United States, Canada provided flying bases at Deseronto and Camp Borden in the Toronto area during the summer of 1917 so that several hundred American cadets could begin primary flying training under the tutelage of the British Royal Flying Corps. The British also operated three flying schools in the United States, located at Camp Taliaferro, Fort Worth, Texas. By Christmas 15 US training bases were available, a number expanded to 27 in the United States and 16 in Europe by the end of the war. Here cadets underwent six to eight weeks of primary pilot training, including 40-50 hours in the air, usually in a Curtiss JN-4 or in a Standard J-1.

Over 11,000 flying cadets received their wings and were commissioned before entering four weeks of advanced training either in the United States or Europe. Bombing instruction occurred primarily at Ellington Field and Taliaferro Field, Texas, among other locations, provided observation training, while pursuit (fighter) courses were restricted to a series of Air Instructional Centers (AIC)s in France because of a lack of necessary equipment in the United States. Brooks Field, Texas, contained the principal instructor's school.

Because the United States was in World War I only for a year and a half and entered it so unprepared, only about 1,000 of the 11,000 aviators trained during the war were actually involved in operations against the enemy. Most of these operations consisted of artillery observation or air-to-air combat. Rapid demobilization followed the end of World War I, and many of these flying schools were closed and turned over to local authorities as airports, although some remained in service though the 1920s, World War II, and into the modern era.

Flying training fields
By November 1918, the Air Service put 18 new airfields into service for advanced flying, experimental testing, and specialized training in bombing, observation and pursuit fighter training. In Canada, Camp Borden near Toronto was also used by the Air Service in conjunction with the Royal Flying Corps. All of these new airfields were named after Americans who lost their lives on aeronautical duty, some of which in the days when aviation was in its infantry. Three civilians who were pioneers in aeronautics were also honored.


 * Brooks Field
 * San Antonio, Texas
 * Named after Cadet Private Sidney Johnson Brooks, Jr
 * Construction started 11 December 1917
 * 29.34167°N, -98.435°W
 * Permanent facility, Aviation Flight Instructor School.


 * Call Field
 * Wichita Falls, Texas
 * Named after 1st Lieutenant Loren H. Call
 * Construction started 4 September 1917; flying began 1 December 1917
 * 33.87167°N, -98.555°W
 * Temporary flying field, Observation School: Advanced flying, 5-week course for observers, 4-week course for pilots
 * Field ordered closed, 11 July 1919


 * Carlstrom Field
 * Arcadia, Florida
 * Named after 1st Lieutenant Victor Carlstrom
 * Construction started 11 December 1917
 * 27.13833°N, -81.80278°W
 * Permanent facility, Advanced Pursuit School: 6-week course


 * Camp John Wise
 * San Antonio, Texas (Approximate)
 * Named after John Wise, Pioneer Balloonist
 * Opened 20 January 1918
 * 29.42389°N, -98.49361°W
 * Temporary aviation camp, United States Army Balloon School
 * School for enlisted specialists to be assigned to balloon companies
 * Course in maneuvering for officers of balloon companies.
 * Closed, January 1919


 * Chandler Field
 * Essington, Pennsylvania
 * Named after 1st Lieutenant Rex Chandler
 * Established 1 April 1917
 * 39.86056°N, -75.3°W
 * Temporary flying field, Seaplane pilot training
 * Closed November 1917


 * Chanute Field
 * Rantoul, Illinois
 * Named after Octave Chanute, Pioneer Aviation Engineer
 * Construction started 31 May 1917; flying began 14 July 1917.
 * 40.29417°N, -88.14306°W
 * Permanent flying field, Primary Flying School: 8-week course


 * Chapman Field
 * Miami, Florida
 * Named after Victor Chapman, First American aviator killed in World War I (1916)
 * Construction extended from 15 May 1918, to 19 April 1919.
 * 25.63944°N, -80.29222°W
 * Aerial Gunnery School


 * Dorr Field
 * Arcadia, Florida
 * Named after Cadet Private Stephen H. Dorr
 * Construction started 26 December 1917
 * 27.20722°N, -81.67°W
 * Permanent flying field
 * Primary Flying School
 * Advanced Pursuit School
 * Aerial Gunnery School: 3-week course for pursuit graduates


 * Eberts Field
 * Lonoke, Arkansas
 * Named after Captain Melchior Eberts
 * Construction started 11 December 1917
 * 34.79528°N, -91.91917°W
 * Temporary flying field, Primary Flying School: 8-week course
 * Closed, May 1919


 * Ellington Field
 * Houston, Texas
 * Named after 2d Lieutenant E. L. Ellington
 * Construction started 18 September 1917; flying began, 15 December 1917
 * 29.60722°N, -95.16389°W
 * Permanent flying field,
 * Armorers' School; Bombing School: 8-week course for bombers, ll-week course for pilots
 * Aerial Gunnery School for Bombing, 3-week course
 * Radio School: For training advanced radio operators


 * Gerstner Field
 * Lake Charles, Louisiana
 * Named after 2d Lieutenant Fredrick J. Gerstner
 * Construction of field started 22 September; flying began, 15 December 1917.
 * 30.11861°N, -93.08°W
 * Temporary flying field
 * Advanced Bombing School: 8-week course
 * Advanced Pursuit School
 * Radio School: Advanced course for radio telegraph officers.
 * Closed, May 1919


 * Fort Omaha
 * Omaha, Nebraska
 * Established March 1917,
 * 41.30667°N, -95.95694°W
 * Permanent post, United States Army Balloon School (for training balloon observers only)


 * Hazelhurst Field
 * Mineola, Long Island, New York
 * Named after 2d Lieutenant Leighton W. Hazelhurst
 * Established, June 1916 on property previously used by New York National Guard as an aviation field (Mineola Field). Flying started June 1916
 * 40.74222°N, -73.59889°W
 * Temporary flying field under lease.
 * Headquarters First Provisional Wing or Headquarters First Reserve Wing. The Wing controlled all flying fields on Long Island; its principal function, aside from the defense of New York City, was the training of squadrons as units for oversea duty and development of team work in advanced flying
 * Aviation Concentration Center: Located at Garden City. Used as reception center for Air Service recruits; Facilitated Air Service units for the purposes of embarkation to Europe, and after the armistice in November 1918, for the purposes of debarkation.
 * Consolidated with Aviation Concentration Center (Renamed Air Service Depot) at Garden City and combined with Mitchel Field, 5 April 1919.


 * Kelly Field
 * San Antonio, Texas
 * Named after 2d Lieutenant George E. M. Kelly
 * Construction started 24 July 1917; flying began 11 August 1917.
 * 29.37611°N, -98.58139°W
 * Permanent flying field, under lease 1917-19, purchased, 1919
 * Primary Flying School: 8-week course
 * Aviation Mechanics School
 * Concentration Camp, Air Service Indoctrination training
 * Ground School for Adjutants, Supply Officers, and Engineer


 * Langley Field
 * Hampton, Virginia
 * Named after Samuel Langley, Pioneer Aviatorr
 * Construction started 20 June 1917
 * 37.08306°N, -76.35917°W
 * Permanent flying field and balloon station
 * Experimental Engineering Department
 * Observation; School: 5-week course for observers, 4-week course for pilots
 * School of Photography


 * Love Field
 * Dallas, Texas
 * Named after 1st Lieutenant Moss Lee Love
 * Construction started 26 September 1917; flying began 8 December 1917.
 * 32.84889°N, -96.85056°W
 * Temporary flying field
 * Bombing School, Advanced flying, 8-week course for bombers, ll-week course for pilots
 * Reserve Military Aviators' Concentration School indoctrination training
 * Closed, May 1919


 * March Field
 * Riverside, California
 * Named after 2d Lieutenant Peyton C. March, Jr.
 * Construction started 23 March 1918; flying began, 15 June 1918.
 * 33.88944°N, -117.25889°W
 * Permanent flying field, Primary Flying School: 8-week course


 * Mather Field
 * Sacramento, California
 * Named after 2d Lieutenant Carl Spencer Mather
 * Construction authorized 3 March 1918; flying began 17 June 1918.
 * 38.55833°N, -121.3°W
 * Permanent flying field, Primary Flying School: 8-week course


 * McCook Field
 * Dayton, Ohio
 * Named after Alexander McDowell McCook
 * Construction of field started, 6 October 1917.
 * 39.77583°N, -84.19083°W
 * Temporary aviation experimental station, under lease
 * Experimental Engineering Department
 * Bureau of Aircraft Production District Office


 * Park Field
 * Millington, Tennessee
 * Named after 1st Lieutenant Joseph D. Park
 * Construction started 18 September 1917; flying began 1 December 1917.
 * 35.35417°N, -89.86861°W
 * Temporary flying field, Primary Flying School: 8-week course


 * Payne Field
 * West Point, Mississippi
 * Named after Captain Dewitt Payne
 * Construction started, 8 February 1918; flying began, 20 May 1918.
 * 33.66556°N, -88.6325°W
 * Temporary flying field
 * Pursuit School: Advanced flying, 6-week course
 * Reserve Military Aviators' Concentration School Indoctrination Training
 * Closed, May 1919


 * Penn Field
 * Austin, Texas
 * Named after Cadet Eugene Penn
 * Under jurisdiction of the University of Texas, Austin; Opened 18 March 1918
 * 30.22667°N, -97.76°W
 * Primary pilot training (Never made operational); Radio School
 * Closed, 8 August 1919


 * Post Field
 * Fort Sill, Lawton Oklahoma
 * Named after 2d Lieutenant Henry B. Post
 * Construction started 8 August 1917, training began January 1918
 * 34.64861°N, -98.39944°W
 * Permanent flying field, located on military reservation of Fort Sill.
 * Balloon School: for the training of balloon organizations and balloon observers
 * Observation School: 5-week course for observers, 4-week course for pilots
 * Radio School: Advanced course for radio telegraph officers


 * Rich Field
 * Waco, Texas (Approximate Location)
 * Named after 2d Lieutenant Perry C. Rich
 * Construction started 11 September 1917; flying began, 1 December 1917.
 * 31.54583°N, -97.18778°W
 * Temporary flying field, Primary Flying School: 8-week course
 * Closed, May 1919


 * Rockwell Field
 * San Diego, California
 * Named after 2d Lieutenant Lewis G. Rockwell
 * 32.69778°N, -117.21306°W
 * Pre-World War I Flying School, established 1913.
 * Aerial Gunnery School
 * Primary Flying School: 8-week course
 * Advanced Pursuit School: 6-week course


 * Ross Field
 * Arcadia, California
 * Named after 2d Lieutenant Cleo J. Ross
 * Field established 3 June 1918
 * 34.12972°N, -118.04°W
 * Permanent military reservation
 * School for Enlisted Balloon Specialists
 * School for Balloon Company Commanders and Observers


 * Scott Field
 * Bellevielle, Illinois
 * Named after Corporal Frank S. Scott, the first enlisted person to be killed in an aviation crash.
 * Construction started, 4 July 1917; flying began, 12 September 1917
 * 38.54056°N, -89.85306°W
 * Permanent flying field, Primary Flying School: 8-week course


 * Selfridge Field
 * Mount Clemens, Michigan
 * Named after 1st Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge
 * Construction started, 3 July 1917; flying began, 14 July 1917.
 * 42.62083°N, -82.83917°W
 * Permanent flying field
 * Aerial Gunnery School for Observation Graduates: 3-week course
 * Aerial Gunnery School for Fighting Observers: 4-week course


 * Souther Field
 * Americus, Georgia
 * Named after Major Henry Souther
 * Construction started 19 February 1918; flying began, 1 June 1918.
 * 32.11139°N, -84.18694°W
 * Temporary flying field, Primary Flying School: 8-week course


 * Camp Taliaferro**
 * Named after 1st Lieutenant Walter R. Taliaferro
 * Hicks Field, Saginaw Texas (Field #1)
 * Named after Charles Hicks
 * 32.93083°N, -97.41167°W
 * Aerial Gunnery School for Army Corps Pilots: 3-week course


 * Barron Field, Everman, Texas (Field #2)
 * Named after Cadet R. J Barron
 * Construction started 18 September 1917; flying began 20 November 1917.
 * 32.62556°N, -97.30472°W
 * Primary Flying School: 8-week course


 * Carruthers Field (later Benbrook Field), Benbrook, Texas (Field #3)
 * Named after Cadet W. K. Carruthers
 * Construction started 18 September 1917; flying began November 1917.
 * 32.67806°N, -97.46°W
 * Primary Flying School: 8-week course
 * Advanced Pursuit School


 * Operated by: Royal Flying Corps, taken over by Air Service 30 April 1918. On May 1, 1918, each field was given independent status. Closed, May 1919


 * Taylor Field
 * Montgomery, Alabama
 * Named after Captain Ralph L. Taylor
 * Construction started 11 December 1917.
 * 32.30389°N, -86.12167°W
 * Temporary flying field, Primary Flying School: 8-week course


 * Wilbur Wright Field
 * Riverside, Ohio
 * Named after Wilbur Wright, Aviation Pioneer
 * Construction of field started 27 May 1917; flying began, 14 July 1917 and continued to 15 December 1917; resumed 15 April 1918
 * 39.77917°N, -84.10444°W
 * Permanent flying field Placed under Technical Section, Department of Military Aeronautics
 * Armorers' School, for the training of enlisted armorers and armament officers
 * Aerial Gunnery Course
 * Field, school, and depot consolidated 4 January 1919 and designated Wilbur Wright Air Service Depot.

** Camp Taliaferro was a flight training center under the direction of the Air Service which had and administration center near what is now the Will Rodgers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Flying airfields consisted of Hicks Field near Saginaw Texas where US flight cadets and Canadian aerial gunnery students trained, Canadian and British cadets trained at Barron Field in Everman and at Carruthers Field in Benbrook. From 1917 to 1918 British Royal Flying Corps instructors trained 6000 flight cadets at the facilities making up Camp Taliafero.

Secondary airfields

 * Brindley Field
 * Commack, Long Island, New York
 * Named in honor of Maj. Oscar A. Brindley
 * Axillary of Hazelhurst Field. Used for advanced flying under supervision of commanding officer, 1st Provisional Wing.


 * Damm Field
 * Babylon, Long Island, New York
 * Named in honor of Lt. Col. Henry J. Damm
 * Axillary of Hazelhurst Field. Used for advanced flying under supervision of commanding officer, 1st Provisional Wing.


 * Emerson Field
 * Columbia, South Carolina; located on the military reservation of Camp Jackson
 * Named in honor of Lt. Wiliam Emerson
 * Established in connection with field artillery brigade firing center at Camp Jackson.


 * East Field
 * Otay Mesa, San Diego, California
 * Named in honor of Maj. W. J. East
 * Gunnery Range, Axillary of Rockwell Field


 * Godman Field
 * Stithton, Kentucky; Located on reservation of Camp Knox
 * Named in honor of 1st Lt. Louis K. Godman
 * Established in connection with field artillery brigade firing center at Camp Knox


 * Lufherry Field
 * Wantagh, Long Island, New York
 * Named in honor of Maj. Raoul V. Lufberry
 * Axillary of Hazelhurst Field. Used for advanced flying under supervision of commanding officer, 1st Provisional Wing.


 * Roosevelt Field,
 * Mineola, Long Island, New York
 * Initially named Westbury Plateau or as the Plateau at HazelhurstField. Named in honor of 1st Lt. Quentin Roosevelt
 * Axillary of Hazelhurst Field. Used for advanced flying under supervision of commanding officer, 1st Provisional Wing.


 * Pope Field
 * Fayettefille, North Carolina; located on military reservation of Camp Bragg.
 * Named in honor of 1st Lt. Harley Halbert Pope
 * established in connection with field artillery brigade firing center at Camp Bragg.


 * Ream Field
 * Oneonta, California
 * Named in honor of Maj. William R. Ream
 * Axillary of Rockwell Field


 * Reilly Field
 * Anniston, Alabama; located on military reservation of Camp McClellan
 * Named in honor of Capt. Henry J. Reilly
 * Established in connection with field artillery brigade firing center at Camp McClellan


 * Valentine Field
 * Labelle, Florida;
 * Named in honor of 2d Lt. Herman W. Valentine
 * Auxiliary of Carlstrom Field

Support facilities

 * Aviation General Supply Depot, Middletown, Pennsylvania
 * The depot made overseas shipments and also supplied materiel to Bolling Field, Langley Field, and First Provisional Wing at Garden City.


 * Aviation General Supply Depot, Americus, Georgia
 * Adjacent to Souther Field. Depot supplied materiel to aviation fields and in particular to Park Field, Taylor Field, Payne Field, Carlstrom Field, and Dorr Field.


 * Aviation General Supply Depot, Little Rock, Arkansas
 * Its activity consisted in storing airplane parts and supplying materiel for Post Field, Call Field, Eberts Field, Love Field, Hicks Field, Barron Field, Rich Field, and Carruthers Field


 * Aviation General Supply Depot, Wilbur Wright Field, Ohio
 * Supplied materiel to flying fields; in particular to Chanute Field, Scott Field, Selfridge Field, Wilbur Wright Field, and the Aviation Repair Depot at Indianapolis, Indiana.


 * Aviation General Supply Depot, Houston, Texas
 * Its activity consisted in storing obsolete materiel and providing additional storage space for planes, spares, and engines in excess of the storage facilities at nearby Ellington Field.


 * Aviation General Supply Depot, Kelly Field, Texas
 * The depot operated as an equipment station, supplying in particular, Kelly Field, Brooks Field, Ellington Field and Gerstner Field.


 * Aviation General Supply Depot, Los Angeles, California
 * Supplied March Field, Mather Field, Rockwell Field, and Army Balloon School at Arcadia (Ross Field).


 * Aviation General Supply Depot, Sacramento, California
 * Used for storage of aviation supplies


 * Aviation Repair Depot, Montgomery, Alabama
 * Depot repaired wrecked planes and engines; also overhauled planes and engines that had flown the required number of hours.


 * Aviation Repair Depot, Indianapolis, Indiana
 * Depot repaired wrecked planes and engines and overhauling planes and engines when required


 * Aviation Repair Depot, Dallas, Texas
 * Activities consisted in repairing and overhauling airplanes and engines for Barron Field, Brooks Field, Call Field, Carruthers Field, Ellington Field, Gerstner Field, Kelly Field, Love Field, Post Field, Rich Field, and Hicks Field. Used Love Field for test flights of repaired machines.