Site of Marfa Army Air Field

During World War II, the U.S. Army Air Forces established many training airfields across Texas, and in 1942 the Western Flying Training Command chose Marfa for an advanced multi-engine flying school. Early efforts were hindered by shortages of supplies and properly trained personnel and by difficulty providing adequate housing for those who served there. The airfield included four hangars, five runways, a unique angled parking apron, and several auxiliary fields in the surrounding area. Support personnel included a Women's Army Corps unit established in 1943 and African American troops assigned primarily to motor pool duties, while trainees included allied Chinese flying cadets, whose first class arrived in September 1944. After Germany surrendered in May 1945, the U.S. Army Air Forces considered deactivating Marfa Army Air Field and placed it on standby status, but the need for additional transport aircraft in the Pacific Campaign temporarily extended its mission. In June 1945, the airfield was placed in Troop Carrier Command as the home of the 818th Army Air Forces base. The U.S. Army Air Forces formally deactivated the base in September 1945, and the military's gradual departure had a devastating impact on Marfa; its buildings were sold off and many were later used for civilian purposes in Marfa, Alpine, and other places. Today, the site retains only foundations, runways, and the memories of those who supported the airfield during the war.

Texas · United States