Atlanta Army Air Field

Atlanta Army Air Field: A Wartime Hub in the Heart of Georgia

During World War II, the U.S. Army established numerous training bases across the southeast to support the rapidly expanding air arm of the Army. Among these, Atlanta Army Air Field-located just north of downtown Atlanta-emerged as a critical node for pilot training, aircraft maintenance, and logistical coordination. Its history reflects the broader strategic shift that brought the war effort into the American heartland and demonstrates how local communities contributed to national defense.

Early Development and Strategic Placement

Construction on the site began in 1942 after the War Department selected the 2,000‑acre parcel east of the airport’s original civilian facilities. The decision hinged on Atlanta’s transportation network: rail lines from the East Coast to the deep south intersected nearby, and the existing railroad spur could be quickly repurposed for aircraft movement. The field’s elevation-roughly 1,000 feet above sea level-offered favorable meteorological conditions for flight training, reducing turbulence associated with the region’s humid subtropical climate.

The original layout included six paved runways arranged in a triangular configuration, allowing for continuous takeoff and landing regardless of prevailing wind directions. A series of hardstand areas housed single‑engine trainers such as the

and later the North American T‑6 Texan, both essential for developing pilots who would later serve in the European and Pacific theaters. The base also featured a flight instruction center, barracks, mess halls, and an armory, creating a self‑contained training community that mirrored larger airfields across the country.

Training Operations and Daily Life

Atlanta Army Air Field’s primary mission was to produce qualified Army pilots and aircrews. Each summer, thousands of recruits arrived at the base, often from rural communities in the Midwest and South. Training schedules were rigorous: cadets logged approximately 30 hours of flight time per week, supplemented by ground school classes covering aerodynamics, navigation, and aircraft systems. The curriculum mirrored that of the Army Air Forces’ Advanced Flying School, ensuring that graduates were ready for deployment to combat units overseas.

Beyond flight training, the base served as a logistical hub. An on‑site supply depot stocked spare parts for aircraft such as the Curtiss C‑46 Commando, which began to be introduced in late 1943. The depot’s proximity to the rail line enabled efficient transport of these components to theaters of operation in Europe and the Pacific. , a modest maintenance shop-run by a team of skilled mechanics-handled routine inspections and more complex repairs, a vital service that kept the field’s flight operations running smoothly.

Community Impact and Civilian-Military Relations

The influx of military personnel altered the socioeconomic fabric of the surrounding neighborhoods. Local businesses-gas stations, restaurants, and hotels-experienced a surge in patronage, while new housing developments sprang up to accommodate families of enlisted personnel. The base’s commander maintained an open liaison office, ensuring that civil complaints regarding noise or traffic were addressed promptly. This cooperation fostered goodwill, a notable factor in the field’s smooth operation and eventual decommissioning.

After the war, the field transitioned into an Army reserve training site. In 1946, the base was redesignated as the Atlanta Army Air Field (AAAF) and served as a primary training location for National Guard units until the 1950s. During this period, the AAAF hosted annual training exercises that integrated air and ground components, reflecting evolving military doctrine in the early Cold War era. Although the airfield eventually closed as a permanent Army installation, its infrastructure remained in use by civilian aviation operators and, later, the Air National Guard’s 119th Fighter Wing.

Legacy and Modern-Day Preservation

Today, the former Atlanta Army Air Field occupies a critical space within the broader Atlanta Regional Airport complex. Remnants of the original runways and hardstands are still visible, and the site’s historical significance is preserved through markers erected by the Georgia Historical Society. In 1994, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducted a study to evaluate the site's environmental impact, concluding that remediation was necessary to address soil contamination from past fuel storage activities. The remediation project, completed in 2001, allowed the field to continue serving aviation needs while protecting local ecosystems.

Modern historians and aviation enthusiasts frequently cite the Atlanta Army Air Field as an exemplary model of wartime infrastructure development. Its strategic location, efficient training programs, and integration with local communities illustrate how the U.S. Army leveraged existing transportation networks to accelerate the buildup of air power during a pivotal era in global conflict. The field’s enduring legacy-visible in the preserved runways, commemorative plaques, and ongoing use by the Air National Guard-serves as a testament to the region’s vital role in shaping America’s military aviation history.