Minnesota World War II Army Airfields

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

Minnesota World War II Army Airfields
Part of World War II
Minnesota World War II Army Airfields is located in Minnesota
Minneapolis MAP
Minneapolis MAP
Holman AAF
Holman AAF
Lobb AAF
Lobb AAF
Flynn AAF
Flynn AAF
Monticello AAF
Monticello AAF
Map Of Minnesota World War II Army Airfields
TypeArmy Airfields
Site history
Built1940-1944
In use1940-present

Most of these airfields were under the command of First 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 a support roles.

It is still possible to find remnants of these wartime airfields. Many were converted into municipal airports, some were returned to agriculture and several were retained as United States Air Force installations and were 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

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Air Transport Command

Joint use USAAF/Civil Airport
Now: Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport and   Minneapolis-Saint Paul Joint Air Reserve Station (IATA: MSP, ICAO: KMSP, FAA LID: MSP)

Air Technical Service Command

Joint use USAAF/Civil Airport
Now: St. Paul Downtown Airport (IATA: STP, ICAO: KSTP, FAA LID: STP)

Army Air Force Training Command

Contract flying training
Now: Lake Elmo Airport (IATA: 21D)
Contract flying training/Glider training
Now: Returned to agriculture.
Contract flying training/Glider training
Closed 1961. Now: Industrial site.

References

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  • Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
  • Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.
  • Thole, Lou (1999), Forgotten Fields of America : World War II Bases and Training, Then and Now - Vol. 2. Pictorial Histories Pub . ISBN 1-57510-051-7
  • Military Airfields in World War II - Minnesota
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