Barnwell Army Airfield was built as a satellite base to the Columbia Army Air Base during World War II. Construction began in September 1942, and the first plane landed three weeks later. The base was completed in April 1943. B-25 bomber crews trained here and at bases in Greenwood, North and Walterboro, with bombing ranges at Lake Murray, Pontiac, and Poorman's north of Charleston. After the war, the airport was released to Barnwell County for use as a general aviation airport.