Connecticut World War II Army Airfields

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Connecticut World War II Army Airfields

Part of World War II

Locations of major World War II USAAF Airfields in Connecticut
Type Army Airfields
Built 1940-1944
In use 1940-Present
Controlled by United States Army Air Forces
Garrison First Air Force
Army Air Force Training Command

During World War II, Connecticut was a major United States Army Air Force (USAAF) training center for pilots and aircrews.

The USAAF established Six major airfields under the command of First Air Force, headquartered at Mitchel Army Airfield, New York between 1942 and 1945.

The mission of these bases primarily was wartime training of aircrews by Army Air Forces Training Command (A precursor to the current-day USAF Air Education and Training Command).

It is still possible to find remnants of these wartime airfields as most were converted into municipal airports. Hundreds of the temporary buildings that were used survive today, and are being used for other purposes.

Contents

[edit] Airfields

Now: Bradley International Airport (BDL)
  • Brainard Field, 2 miles south-southeast of Hartford
Now: Hartford-Brainard Airport (HFD)
  • Bridgeport AAF, 3 miles southeast of Stratford
Now: Sikorsky Memorial Airport (BDR)
  • Groton AAF, 3 miles southeast of Groton
Now: Groton-New London Airport (GON)
  • New Haven AAF, 3 miles southeast of New Haven
Now: Tweed New Haven Regional Airport (HVN)
  • Rentschler Field, 3 miles east-southeast of Hartford
Was: Rentschler Field (Airport) (1933-1997)
Now: Rentschler Heliport (CT88) and Rentschler Field (Football Stadium)

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  • Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
  • Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799129.
  • Thole, Lou (1999), Forgotten Fields of America : World War II Bases and Training, Then and Now - Vol. 2. Pictorial Histories Pub . ISBN 1575100517

[edit] External links