Site of Marfa Army Air Field

Site of Marfa Army Air Field (HMHKU)

Location: Marfa, TX 79843 Presidio County
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Country: United States of America
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N 30° 16.518', W 103° 52.94'

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Inscription
During World War II, The U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) established a significant number of training airfields across the state of Texas. The USAAF Western Flying Training Command selected Marfa as the site for an advanced multi-engine flying school in 1942. Due to an initial lack of supplies and properly trained personnel, the USAAF struggled at first to establish the command effectively and to provide adequate housing for those who served here.

The airfield had four hangars, five runways and a unique angled parking apron. There were also several auxiliary fields in the area. Support personnel here included a Women's Army Corps unit established in 1943 and African American troops, assigned primarily to motor pool duties. Trainees included allied Chinese flying cadets, the first class arriving in September 1944.

After Germany surrendered in May 1945, the USAAF considered deactivating Marfa Army Air Field and placed the installation on standby status. However, the need for additional transport aircraft in the Pacific Campaign temporarily extended the mission of the airfield. In June 1945, the USAAF placed the airfield in the Troop Carrier Command as home of the 818th Army Air Forces base.

The USAAF formally deactivated the base in September 1945, and the gradual exodus of the military had a devastating impact on Marfa. The military sold off the buildings, many later used for civilian purposes in Marfa, Alpine and other locales. Today, all that remains of the once impressive site are foundations, runways and the memories of those who proudly supported the airfield during the war.

Texas in World War II - 2007
Details
HM NumberHMHKU
Tags
Year Placed2007
Placed ByTexas Historical Commission
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Sunday, September 28th, 2014 at 8:04am PDT -07:00
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Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)13R E 607500 N 3349820
Decimal Degrees30.27530000, -103.88233333
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 30° 16.518', W 103° 52.94'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds30° 16' 31.08" N, 103° 52' 56.40" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)432
Closest Postal AddressAt or near 869-899 Unnamed Road, Marfa TX 79843, US
Alternative Maps Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap

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