Strother Army Air Field: Difference between revisions
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At a joint meeting on 6 February 1941 the two city commissions approved construction of an airport comprising some 240 acres with a 100 x 100-foot hangar. Authority to issue bonds had already been granted by the Kansas legislature. During the course of 1941 the Federal government's interest in this site for the establishment of an Army flying school became known. A site selection board of officers met at Arkansas City, 11 April 1942, and inspected the proposed airport site. In its report three days later, the board approved the proposed site. On the same day of the board meeting, 11 April, the two cities passed a resolution committing the municipalities to obtain approximately 1,400 acres of land to be leased to the Federal government at the rate of one dollar per year, and renewable yearly for 25 years. |
At a joint meeting on 6 February 1941 the two city commissions approved construction of an airport comprising some 240 acres with a 100 x 100-foot hangar. Authority to issue bonds had already been granted by the Kansas legislature. During the course of 1941 the Federal government's interest in this site for the establishment of an Army flying school became known. A site selection board of officers met at Arkansas City, 11 April 1942, and inspected the proposed airport site. In its report three days later, the board approved the proposed site. On the same day of the board meeting, 11 April, the two cities passed a resolution committing the municipalities to obtain approximately 1,400 acres of land to be leased to the Federal government at the rate of one dollar per year, and renewable yearly for 25 years. |
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The airfield is located midway between Arkansas City and Winfield, in Cowley county on U. S. Highway 77. The entire field comprised some 1,386 acres. Construction of the airfield began on 16 May 1942. |
The airfield is located midway between Arkansas City and Winfield, in Cowley county on U. S. Highway 77. The entire field comprised some 1,386 acres. Construction of the airfield began on 16 May 1942. Four asphalt runways, 5,500, 4,000, and two of 5,840 feet in length and all 150 feet wide, were built. Permanent type run- |
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way lights were installed. Connecting these were four taxiways, three of asphalt and one of concrete, two of which were 700 feet in length, another 3,500 feet, and the fourth 1,600 feet. Three were 50 feet wide, one 100 feet. |
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In addition, there were four auxiliary fields, which building operations began at the same time. |
In addition, there were four auxiliary fields, which building operations began at the same time. |
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* Number one, totaling 481 acres, was acquired from seven owners, partly by straight purchase and partly |
* Number one, totaling 481 acres, was acquired from seven owners, partly by straight purchase and partly by Decision of Taking of the Federal District Court. Cost of the land was $48,941. |
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by Decision of Taking of the Federal District Court. Cost of the land was $48,941. |
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* Number Two contained 643 acres. It, too, was acquired from seven owners, partly by straight purchase and partly by Decision of Taking. Total cost was $70,409 |
* Number Two contained 643 acres. It, too, was acquired from seven owners, partly by straight purchase and partly by Decision of Taking. Total cost was $70,409 |
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* The 631& acres of Auxiliary Number Three were acquired from eight owners. Only three acres were purchased; the remainder was acquired on annual lease. |
* The 631& acres of Auxiliary Number Three were acquired from eight owners. Only three acres were purchased; the remainder was acquired on annual lease. |
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* Number Five, totaling 656.40 acres, was acquired from eight owners at a total cost of $46,169. A portion was obtained from straight purchase, while a Decision of Taking was necessary to acquire title to the remainder. |
* Number Five, totaling 656.40 acres, was acquired from eight owners at a total cost of $46,169. A portion was obtained from straight purchase, while a Decision of Taking was necessary to acquire title to the remainder. |
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Storage facilities included three AAF and four Quartermaster buildings. All were of wood frame construction, with cement floors. Two instructional buildings, totaling 15,550 square feet with a total student capacity of 550, were erected. In addition, six Link Trainer buildings were provided, with a total capacity of 34. Under the general category of recreational and welfare facilities, day rooms, an officers' club and a service club, theater, chapel, post exchange, bowling alley, gymnasium, swimming pool, and a library were built. Housing was built to accommodate a total of 4,404 officers and men, while the hospital was designed for a normal bed |
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The airfield was named '''Strother Field''', named after Capt. Donald R. Strother, who was killed over Java on 13 February 1942. |
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capacity of 141. Although fuel was readily available locally, a gasoline capacity of 210,216 gallons was provided, and an oil storage capacity of 36,000 gallons. |
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The airfield was named '''Strother Field''', named after Capt. Donald R. Strother, who was killed over Java on 13 February 1942. Captain Strother was born October 26, 1911, in Winfield. He attended the Winfield schools and Southwestern College, and in 1934 became a cadet in the army air corps. Later he served two years as a civilian air line pilot. In 1938 Strother re-entered the air corps, and at the time of his death commanded a squadron of B-17 flying Fortresses. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 23:59, 7 December 2011
Strother Army Air Field
 | |
|---|---|
| Part of Army Air Forces Flying Training Command | |
| Located near Winfield and Arkansas City, Kansas | |
| Coordinates | 37°10′07″N 097°02′15″W / 37.16861°N 97.03750°W |
| Type | Training Airfield |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1942 |
| In use | 1942-1953 |
Strother Army Airfield was a World War II training base of the United States Army Air Forces Central Flying Training Command (CFTC). It is currently the city-owned Strother Field.
History
Strother Army Air Field was a joint enterprise of the proximate cities of Winfield and Arkansas City to build a municipal airport which evolved, by the force of events, into construction of an Army airfield dedicated to basic flying training.
At a joint meeting on 6 February 1941 the two city commissions approved construction of an airport comprising some 240 acres with a 100 x 100-foot hangar. Authority to issue bonds had already been granted by the Kansas legislature. During the course of 1941 the Federal government's interest in this site for the establishment of an Army flying school became known. A site selection board of officers met at Arkansas City, 11 April 1942, and inspected the proposed airport site. In its report three days later, the board approved the proposed site. On the same day of the board meeting, 11 April, the two cities passed a resolution committing the municipalities to obtain approximately 1,400 acres of land to be leased to the Federal government at the rate of one dollar per year, and renewable yearly for 25 years.
The airfield is located midway between Arkansas City and Winfield, in Cowley county on U. S. Highway 77. The entire field comprised some 1,386 acres. Construction of the airfield began on 16 May 1942. Four asphalt runways, 5,500, 4,000, and two of 5,840 feet in length and all 150 feet wide, were built. Permanent type run- way lights were installed. Connecting these were four taxiways, three of asphalt and one of concrete, two of which were 700 feet in length, another 3,500 feet, and the fourth 1,600 feet. Three were 50 feet wide, one 100 feet.
In addition, there were four auxiliary fields, which building operations began at the same time.
- Number one, totaling 481 acres, was acquired from seven owners, partly by straight purchase and partly by Decision of Taking of the Federal District Court. Cost of the land was $48,941.
- Number Two contained 643 acres. It, too, was acquired from seven owners, partly by straight purchase and partly by Decision of Taking. Total cost was $70,409
- The 631& acres of Auxiliary Number Three were acquired from eight owners. Only three acres were purchased; the remainder was acquired on annual lease.
- Number Five, totaling 656.40 acres, was acquired from eight owners at a total cost of $46,169. A portion was obtained from straight purchase, while a Decision of Taking was necessary to acquire title to the remainder.
Storage facilities included three AAF and four Quartermaster buildings. All were of wood frame construction, with cement floors. Two instructional buildings, totaling 15,550 square feet with a total student capacity of 550, were erected. In addition, six Link Trainer buildings were provided, with a total capacity of 34. Under the general category of recreational and welfare facilities, day rooms, an officers' club and a service club, theater, chapel, post exchange, bowling alley, gymnasium, swimming pool, and a library were built. Housing was built to accommodate a total of 4,404 officers and men, while the hospital was designed for a normal bed capacity of 141. Although fuel was readily available locally, a gasoline capacity of 210,216 gallons was provided, and an oil storage capacity of 36,000 gallons.
The airfield was named Strother Field, named after Capt. Donald R. Strother, who was killed over Java on 13 February 1942. Captain Strother was born October 26, 1911, in Winfield. He attended the Winfield schools and Southwestern College, and in 1934 became a cadet in the army air corps. Later he served two years as a civilian air line pilot. In 1938 Strother re-entered the air corps, and at the time of his death commanded a squadron of B-17 flying Fortresses.
See also
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Shaw, Frederick J. (2004), Locating Air Force Base Sites History’s Legacy, Air Force History and Museums Program, United States Air Force, Washington DC, 2004.
- Manning, Thomas A. (2005), History of Air Education and Training Command, 1942–2002. Office of History and Research, Headquarters, AETC, Randolph AFB, Texas ASIN: B000NYX3PC
External links
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