Montana World War II Army Airfields explained

Montana World War II Army Airfields
Ensign:Us army air corps shield.svg
Ensign Size:50px
Partof:World War II
Type:Army Airfields
Built:1940-1944
Used:1940-present

During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) established numerous airfields in Montana for training pilots and aircrews of USAAF fighters and bombers.

Most of these airfields were under the command of Second Air Force or the Army Air Forces Training Command (AAFTC) (A predecessor of the current-day United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command). However, the other USAAF support commands (Air Technical Service Command (ATSC); Air Transport Command (ATC) or Troop Carrier Command) commanded a significant number of airfields in support roles.

It is still possible to find remnants of these wartime airfields. Many were converted into municipal airports, returned to agriculture, or retained as United States Air Force installations that served as front-line bases during the Cold War. Hundreds of the temporary buildings that were used survive today, and are being used for other purposes.

Major Airfields

Second Air Force

II Fighter Command

II Fighter Command

Note: Glasgow Air Force Base (1957-1976) is NOT the World War II Airfield.

352d Army Air Force Base Unit

Was: Great Falls Air Force Base (1947-1955)

Now: Malmstrom Air Force Base (1955-Present; runway inactive since 1997, limited to rotary-wing ops)

II Bomber Command

Air Transport Command

Joint use USAAF/Civil Airport

7th Ferrying Group

385th Army Air Force Base Unit

And: Great Falls Air National Guard Base

Joint use USAAF/Civil Airport

References