Pampa Army Airfield

Pampa Army Airfield is an abandoned airfield located about 11 miles east of Pampa in Gray County, Texas

History

Construction of the airfield began in June 1942 under the supervision of the Tulsa, Oklahoma, office of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

Pampa Army Air Field, known as the "Eagles' Nest of the High Plains," offered advanced twin-engine training in AT-10s. Also stationed at the field were AT-9s, B-25s, and AT-17s. Sixteen B-25s from the field took part in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo. Of the aircraft that participated, fifteen were lost, and one accidentally landed in Russia, where it remains.

During its three years of operation the base graduated 6,292 cadets, trained 3,500 aircraft mechanics, and had one of the best safety records in the United States Training Command throughout the war.

After its closing on September 30, 1945, the airfield remained in inactive status, and was kept on the Air Force property rolls until the 1950s. It was eventually sold to agricultural interests.

See also

* Texas World War II Army Airfields

References

* Thole, Lou (1999), Forgotten Fields of America : World War II Bases and Training, Then and Now - Vol. 2. Publisher: Pictorial Histories Pub, ISBN 1575100517
* [http://www.airfields-freeman.com/TX/Airfields_TX_Amarillo.htm#pampa Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Pampa Army Airfield, Pampa, TX]

External links