Madras Army Airfield: Difference between revisions
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'''{{PAGENAME}}''' (1943-1945) - A [[World War II]] U.S. Army Air Field established in 1943 near Madras, Jefferson County, Oregon. First named [[Madras Army Airfield]] after the location. It closed after the end of WWII in 1945. | '''{{PAGENAME}}''' (1943-1945) - A [[World War II]] U.S. Army Air Field established in 1943 near Madras, Jefferson County, Oregon. First named [[Madras Army Airfield]] after the location. It closed after the end of WWII in 1945. | ||
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|width="50%"|[[Image:.jpg|350px|thumb|left|Madras Army Airfield]] | |width="50%"|<!--[[Image:.jpg|350px|thumb|left|Madras Army Airfield]]--> | ||
|width="50%"|[[Image:.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Madras Army Airfield]] | |width="50%"|<!--[[Image:.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Madras Army Airfield]]--> | ||
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|colspan="2"|[[File:Madras AAF South Hanger.jpeg|795px|thumb|center|WWII Madras AAF South Hanger in 2022.]] | |||
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|colspan="2"|[[ | |colspan="2"|[[File:Madras AAF Hangers.jpeg|795px|thumb|center|WWII Madras Army Airfield Hangers in 2022.]] | ||
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{{AUXHeader|Title=Madras Army Airfield Auxillary Airfields}} | {{AUXHeader|Title=Madras Army Airfield Auxillary Airfields}} | ||
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== History == | == History == | ||
In January 1943 the Army confirmed that the small Oregon town of Madras would be the site of a combat training Army Airfield. The 1940 population of Madras was just 412. | In January 1943 the Army confirmed that the small Oregon town of Madras would be the site of a combat training Army Airfield. The 1940 population of Madras was just 412. The airfield was located just north of town on a high mesa that overlooked the town. | ||
Construction of the new airfield included two 120' x 80' hangars for the Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress Bombers to be assigned at the base. Madras was overwhelmed by the construction activity that included hangers, runways, taxi strips, hard-stands, and the rapid influx of several hundred officers, enlisted GIs, and Army construction workers. Many newcomers had to find quarters in Madras homes and travel to the airfield by military buses. | Construction of the new airfield included two OBH-2, 120' x 80' hangars for the Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress Bombers to be assigned at the base. Madras was overwhelmed by the construction activity that included hangers, runways, taxi strips, hard-stands, and the rapid influx of several hundred officers, enlisted GIs, and Army construction workers. Many newcomers had to find quarters in Madras homes and travel to the airfield by military buses. | ||
In September 1944 the mission changed from aircrew training to aircraft maintenance. Aircrew training moved to nearby [[Redmond Army Airfield]] and bomber flight instruction ended. | In September 1944 the mission changed from aircrew training to aircraft maintenance. Aircrew training moved to nearby [[Redmond Army Airfield]] and bomber flight instruction ended. | ||
In November 1945 the base was declared surplus and reverted to the control of the War Assets and the Civil Aviation Administration. A campaign by Madras and Jefferson County officials to obtain ownership and control of the base was successful and on 3 Apr 1947 Madras Army Airfield was transferred to civil authorities. | In November 1945 the base was declared surplus and reverted to the control of the War Assets and the Civil Aviation Administration. A campaign by Madras and Jefferson County officials to obtain ownership and control of the base was successful and on 3 Apr 1947 Madras Army Airfield was transferred to civil authorities. | ||
{{MadrasCmdrs}} | |||
== Current Status == | == Current Status == | ||
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* [https://www.americanairmuseum.com/place/199257 American Museum - Madras Army Airfield] | * [https://www.americanairmuseum.com/place/199257 American Museum - Madras Army Airfield] | ||
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madras_Municipal_Airport Wikipedia - Madras Municipal Airport] | * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madras_Municipal_Airport Wikipedia - Madras Municipal Airport] | ||
* [http://heritagedata.prd.state.or.us/historic/index.cfm?do=v.dsp_printRecord&resultDisplay=673133 Oregon Historic Site Record] | |||
* [https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/VI/AAF-VI-4.html The Army Air Forces in World War II, Part 6, men and Planes, Chapter 4.] | * [https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/VI/AAF-VI-4.html The Army Air Forces in World War II, Part 6, men and Planes, Chapter 4.] | ||
{{FortID|ID=OR0105|Name={{PAGENAME}}}} | {{FortID|ID=OR0105|Name={{PAGENAME}}}} | ||
{{Visited| | {{Visited|13 May 2022}} | ||
__NOTOC__ | __NOTOC__ | ||
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[[Category:Oregon All]] | [[Category:Oregon All]] | ||
[[Category:Oregon Airfields]] | [[Category:Oregon Airfields]] | ||
[[Category:Oregon WWII Army Airfields]] | |||
[[Category:Oregon Jefferson County]] | [[Category:Oregon Jefferson County]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:2022 Research Trip]] | ||
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] | [[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] | ||
[[Category:Starter Page]] | [[Category:Starter Page]] | ||
[[Category:World War II Army Airfields]] | [[Category:World War II Army Airfields]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:45, 20 May 2022
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HistoryIn January 1943 the Army confirmed that the small Oregon town of Madras would be the site of a combat training Army Airfield. The 1940 population of Madras was just 412. The airfield was located just north of town on a high mesa that overlooked the town. Construction of the new airfield included two OBH-2, 120' x 80' hangars for the Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress Bombers to be assigned at the base. Madras was overwhelmed by the construction activity that included hangers, runways, taxi strips, hard-stands, and the rapid influx of several hundred officers, enlisted GIs, and Army construction workers. Many newcomers had to find quarters in Madras homes and travel to the airfield by military buses. In September 1944 the mission changed from aircrew training to aircraft maintenance. Aircrew training moved to nearby Redmond Army Airfield and bomber flight instruction ended. In November 1945 the base was declared surplus and reverted to the control of the War Assets and the Civil Aviation Administration. A campaign by Madras and Jefferson County officials to obtain ownership and control of the base was successful and on 3 Apr 1947 Madras Army Airfield was transferred to civil authorities.
Current StatusNow Madras Municipal Airport. The two WWII hangers still exist.
See Also: Sources:
Links:
Fortification ID:
Visited: 13 May 2022
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