Trip Report: Let the Games Begin!
First published in 2000. Reformatted 2025. For nostalgia, I've left the original in-line links in this report. They were fashionable in the 1990s, but a bit outdated by 2025 standards.Introduction
This report consolidates numerous base finding trips I made in early 1994, when I was still stationed at Randolph AFB. The journeys described here mark the beginning of my quest to visit and document our AAF and USAF installation heritage. All locations in this report are in Texas. Just a reminder PIN means Permanent Installation Number and ILC means Installation Location Code; I include these for Air Force properties when I know them. Be advised, the highway references are from my original 1994 trip planning notes and were not verified or updated to show the as-driven route. Use my directions only to get a general sense of the route, not for navigation. My first deliberate research visit to a closed base was several months earlier. After beginning to seriously research former USAF bases, I visited the former Edward Gary AFB, in nearby San Marcos, on 13 June 1993. This was a turning point for me; seeing the old hangar, control tower, and the other vintage buildings. I knew then I would be visiting lots of former bases in the future. I was very busy in the second half of 1993, pulling together information to guide the trips shown here.Saturday, 8 January 1994
Gray AFB, on Fort Hood, KilleenSunday, 30 January 1994
Castroville Aux Fld, Castroville Hondo AB, HondoJanuary 1994 (exact dates lost)
Clear Springs AF Aux Fld, New Braunfels Davenport AF Aux Fld, San Antonio Martindale AF Aux Fld, San Antonio Rio Medina Aux Fld, Rio Medina Stinson Field, San Antonio Zuehl Aux Fld, near SeguinSaturday, 5 February 1994
Departed San Antonio at 0700. Took highway 87 to Victoria, detouring near highway 447 to find the former Nursery Aux Fld (aka Foster Aux Fld #4), 28-58-15, 97-03-45. Now used as a cattle feedlot, the access gate was marked "Airport Pasture." This had been an auxiliary field to Foster Field during WWII, and was brought back into service as Foster AF Auxiliary Field #1, PIN 2129, from 1952 until 1958. Continued on 87 to Victoria, then took highway 59 toward Goliad. The former Aloe AAFld is on the right before you get to highway 175, at 28-47, 97-06. It's an industrial park now, with plenty of development since the war, but the airfield pavement is still quite prominent. Then back on highway 59 toward Goliad. Approximately 1.8 miles past Fannin State Park, turn right for Aloe AF Aux Fld (aka Fannin Aux Fld #10), 28-41-30, 97-17. The runways are now used for open storage of oilfield pipe. I took what would later become my trademark Locked Gate Photo. Then it was back on 59 past Victoria, to Victoria Regional Airport (VCT), formerly Foster AFB, PIN 2127, ILC GWZN, 28-51-25, 96-55-05. Many of the buildings looked relatively unchanged from their AF days. Connect to 616 southwest to 185, and take 185 through Seadrift to Port O'Connor. There, I visited the former Matagorda Island Dock Annex, ILC PLPE, 28-26-18, 96-25-05. It is now used by the Park Service to ferry their personnel and park visitors to Matagorda Island State Park (the island park encompasses the former Matagorda Island AF Range, and is only reachable by boat). I took some information on the park and the ferry schedule for future use. From there, I made my way through Port Lavaca to Palacios. Northwest of town, I found Palacios Municipal (PSX), 28-43-30, 96-15. I saw no obvious clues to its heritage as Palacios AAFld, although this hangar looks to be WWII vintage. From Palacios, I went back through Victoria and Cuero to Yoakum. I found Yoakum Intermediate Field, now farmland. From Yoakum, I took Alt 77 south to 183, then north to Gonzales, and the municipal airport northeast of town, formerly Gonzales Aux Fld #1, 29-31-30, 97-27-30. It is now Gonzales Airport (T20). Back on 183, then Alt 90 west to Seguin and Seguin AF Aux Fld, ILC VGJT, 29-34-15, 97-54-45. This is still an active auxiliary field, FAA code SEQ, serving Randolph AFB. Then to I-10 west and back to the big city. Returned to home base at 1900, 12 hours and 542 miles later. This was my first dedicated full-day base finding mission. But it would certainly not be my last.Sunday, 13 February 1994
Departed home at 0820. I headed west to Uvalde and visited Garner Field (Plancor 454). This was a contract flying school during WWII, operated by Hangar Six, Inc. for the Army Air Forces. Still an airport, it is now Garner (UVA), 29-13, 99-45. A historical marker describes the field's mission, but incorrectly calls it Garner AAFld. Partway through WWII, the Defense Plant Corporation purchased most of the Army's contract flying schools and gave them numbered Plancor designations. Then I headed farther southwest toward Eagle pass, and found the former Eagle Pass AAFld, now the Maverick County Industrial Park and Bowles Airport (5T9), 28-51-20, 100-30-40. After its AAF use in WWII, the airport served as an auxiliary field to Laughlin AFB until approximately 1990. Eagle Pass AFS was built in the 1950s on the former Eagle Pass AAFld cantonment area. For a while, it coexisted next to the auxiliary field. This station was a long-range radar site, and it was located at 28-51-40, 100-31-41. Closer to Spofford, I found the access road gate to Laughlin Aux Fld, ILC MXDS, FAA code T70. It is 3.5 miles south of FM 1908, 29-08, 100-28. This is a new (early 1990s) auxiliary of Laughlin AFB, and replaced the Eagle Pass auxiliary field. Pushing on, I visited the former Fort Clark. This is an example of an airfield operated by Army Ground Forces during WWII. Located in Brackettville, this former Army base is now a retirement community called Fort Clark Springs. A WWII layout plan shows the Airport adjacent to the Polo Field on the larger Drill Field & Landing Field. The airport is still active (though quiet) as Fort Clark Springs Airport (74TX), 29-18, 100-25. Arriving at Del Rio, I found probable paving remnants of Val Verde County Airport, 29-22-30, 100-49-25. Formerly an auxiliary of Laughlin, most of the airport area had been developed fairly recently. After a pit stop on Laughlin AFB, I pointed the Volvo east and made it home at 1950, totaling 532 miles in 11.5 hours.Saturday, 19 February 1994
Hit the road at 0630. Took I-37 then 77 past Kingsville to Harlingen, and Rio Grande Valley IAP (HRL), 26-13-30, 97-39. This is the former Harlingen AFB, PIN 1161. From there, I took 499 to 77, and 77 to Brownsville. Then, 48 to 4 to Brownsville-South Padre Island IAP (BRO), 25-54-30, 97-25-30. Formerly Brownsville AAB, this airport is a couple miles north of the most southern point in Texas. Cruised 77 to San Benito, to 1561 to 803 to 510. Took 510 past Bayview, to Port Isabel-Cameron County Airport (T31). At 26-09, 97-20-30, this was formerly Laguna Madre Field. I found different types of hangars. Back on 510 to 345, then 345 to San Benito to 77. From there, took 77 to 83, then 83 toward McAllen. In Pharr, I took 281 north through Edinburg and past Faysville 2 miles. The former Edinburg Aux Fld (aka Moore Aux Fld #1) is now Edinburg Rio Grande Airport (25R), 26-26-30, 98-07-45. 281 south to 1925, 1925 to 681. North on 681, Moore AB is on the left, 26-23, 98-20. It is now Moore Field Airport (7R7) owned by the US Department of Agriculture. Motored up 83 to Laredo, and stayed in the Holiday Inn. Chocked the wheels at 2130, after a grueling 673 miles in 15 hours.Sunday, 20 February 1994
Didn't bail out of the Holiday Inn until a leisurely 0915. First stop was Laredo IAP (LRD), formerly Laredo AFB, 27-32-30, 99-28. I found an assortment of buildings and a water tower from the Air Force days. From Laredo I took 59 to 35, 35 north, and 1472 north toward Eagle Pass. Then, 1472 south to Laredo, and 35 north to San Antonio. Cut the engine at 1615, making it a short day of 361 miles in 7 hours. This two-day trip totaled 1,034 miles, in 22 road-hours. This was my first overnight base-finding trip, as well as my first thousand-miler.Saturday, 26 February 1994
Departed home at 0620. Took I-35 north to Killeen, then 317 north to Draughon-Miller Regional Airport (TPL), 31-09-04, 97-24-32, formerly Temple AAFld. Continue North on 317; north to McGregor, right on 84. Found McGregor MAP (F60) on the left, 31-29, 97-18-45. This was formerly McGregor AF Aux Fld, 1167 (aka Blackland Aux Fld #1). Back to 84, go east through Waco to Prairie Hill, then south on 339. Found Prairie Hill AF Aux Fld, PIN 1165 (aka Waco Aux Fld #5), 31-38, 96-47. It is now the Student Training Field of American Truck Driving School. When the airfield was disposed of, the northwest corner of the property was retained by the USAF and became the Prairie Hill Radio Beacon Annex. It was active for several years, and the radio beacon building still stands. Back on 84 towards Waco. Take 2418 north to TSTC Waco Airport (CNW), 31-38, 97-04. This was formerly James Connally AFB, PIN 1163. Many buildings of Air Force vintage are still standing including a double-cantilever hangar. Back to 84, Lakeshore to 3051 to 1637, to Waco Regional Airport (ACT), 31-37, 97-13. Back in the WWII era, this was Blackland AAFld, and some buildings remain. Drove 1637 to 3051 to Lakeshore, past I-35 to L340, to 3400. Take 3400 (turns into 434) southeast past Downs and Downsville; go left .5 mile before 2643. Two miles farther, on the left, is the site of the former Riesel Aux Fld, 31-26-15, 97-02. It is now farmland. Back to 3400, to L340, to I-35.South on I-35 to San Antonio, set the brakes at 1920. Total trip 13 Hours, 535 Miles.February 1994 (exact dates lost)
Edward Gary AFB, San Marcos. The present airport and the Gary Job Corps Center have split the former base.Hangar
General view
General view
General view
Dividing fence
Sunday, 6 March 1994
Camp Mystic, HuntSaturday, 12 March 1994
Out of the apartment at 0615. I-10 towards Houston; go south on 6 outside of Houston to Galveston, onto I-45, then right on 342 to Scholes Field (GLS), formerly Galveston AAFld, 29-16, 94-52. Back to 342, then 45 north to Houston. Exited at Ellington Field (EFD), 29-36-30, 95-09-56. The former Ellington AFB, PIN 1132, ILC FWJH, still has an Air National Guard presence, and several buildings from its active duty past are visible near the museum. Some munitions igloos were nearby. I even visited the tiny BX. Then I worked my way to Laporte, and Laporte Municipal Airport (T41), 29-40-15, 95-03-45. This was formerly Preston Aux Fld #2, and adjacent to the airport is the La Porte ANG Station, ILC MNWA. The last event of the day was a tour of the Battleship U.S.S. Texas. Then I made my way back to highway 6, then I-10, and home. Back in the apartment at 2115, total of 615 miles, in 15 hours.Saturday, 19 March 1994
Locked the apartment in San Antonio at 0630, took I-35 north to Round Rock, then 79 to Hearne Airport (T72), 30-52, 96-37. This was formerly Hearne AF Aux Fld. From Hearne, I took 50 south to 21, then 21 to Bryan and Texas A&M Flight Test Station Airport (83TX), 30-39, 96-28. This was formerly Bryan AFB, PIN 1113. Different types of hangars, buildings, control tower, and some family housing are reminders of the past. The parking apron now has test antennas instead of aircraft. On to Bryan, then south on 6 and west on 60 to Easterwood Field (CLL), 30-35, 96-22-15. This used to be Easterwood Aux Fld. Next stop was Austin, where I walked 4 miles along Town Lake, browsed Half Price Books on Guadalupe, then ate dinner at Kerby Lane Cafe on South Lamar. Made it back to my San Antonio crash pad at 2200. The day's trip took 15.5 hours, covering 509 miles.Saturday, 26 March 1994
Wheels in the wells at 0615, from San Antonio. Took I-10 west to Sonora, then 277 north to San Angelo. First stop of the day was Goodfellow AFB TX, PIN 1146, ILC JCGU, 31-25-50, 100-24-20. This was my first visit since 1979. Goodfellow has seen extensive modernization, but a few older hangars remain to remind visitors this used to be a flying installation. From Goodfellow, I took 388 east to 2334. The field of farmland northeast of this intersection was Goodfellow Aux Fld #4 TX (aka Lane Aux Fld), 31-27-30, 100-17. From there, 2334 south to 87, then 87 east two miles; make a left and Goodfellow Aux Fld #7 (aka Wall Aux Fld) is on the right, 31-24-15, 100-14. The area is now partly a field, and partly covered with trees and brush. Back on 87, west past 2334 two miles and go left. Ahead 2.5 and 3 miles on the left are roads leading to Goodfellow Aux Fld #6 (aka Van Court Aux Fld), 31-20-45, 100-18. This one has an interesting use, as a drag strip! Unfortunately, it was not race day and the place was empty. Once again back to 87, west one mile and turn left. Go 1.2 miles and the farmland on the right used to be Goodfellow Aux Fld #1 (aka Oates Aux Fld), 31-21-45, 100-20. Keep going away from 87 to 1223. Go right, then make an immediate left. Ahead 5.5 miles on the right is a brushy area that used to be Goodfellow Aux Fld #3 (aka Robbins Aux Fld), 31-32-45, 100-30-30. Continue west past 277 on 584, and navigate VFR to Mathis Field (SJT), formerly San Angelo AAFld, 31-21-30, 100-30-30. This hangar dates from the WWII era. Take 584 north to 87, 87 north to 208. Make a right on 208 and go north of town, one mile past 2105. The road jogs right, then left. The former Goodfellow Aux Fld #5 (aka Pulliam Aux Fld) is the overgrown area on the left, 31-34, 100-26. Back to 2105, go west to 87. Take 87 north to Grape Creek Road. Goodfellow Aux Fld #2 (aka Broome Aux Fld) was the area on the right, 31-19, 100-25. South on 87 to 2105, east to 277, north to 70, then 70 to Sweetwater and Avenger Field (SWW), 32-28, 100-28. Avenger Field (Plancor 937) was a WWII contract flying training school, significant for its role in training Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs). Partway through WWII, the Defense Plant Corporation purchased most of the Army's contract flying schools and gave them numbered Plancor designations. In the 1950s a radar station, Sweetwater AFS, was built on the cantonment area of the airport, at 32-27-49, 100-28-20. Hop on I-20 and go east to Abilene, take 277 south to 1235, then the dirt road to Camp Barkeley (Dyess Small Arms Range Annex, ILC FNXA), 32-19-30, 99-52. Camp Barkeley was an Army training base in WWII. Part of the large original rifle range was still owned by the Texas National Guard, and the AF leased this for small arms training by Dyess AFB. (When I was stationed at Dyess as a range troop, we never called it the small arms range annex, we simply called it Camp Barkeley.) Then it was north on 277 to see what had changed at Dyess AFB, PIN 2563, ILC FNWZ, 32-25, 99-51, since 1985. For one thing, there was a new small arms range next to the 6-point pistol range I knew so well. For another, the 1950's vintage dormitory I lived in back in the late 1970's had been remodeled with outside entry doors instead of the internal hallways. I sure hope they replaced those awful "swamp coolers" with real air conditioning! Back on 277 south, took a quick glance at the gate to Dyess Nike Site DY-50L, 32-16-15, 99-57-30, and headed back to San Angelo. Arriving back on Goodfellow AFB at 1915, I obtained a billeting suite (for $5.75) and crashed for the night. Drove 624 miles in 13 hours.Sunday, 27 March 1994
Got up at a leisurely hour and put it in gear at 1045. Took 277 south to Eldorado AFS, ILC ELAW, 30-58-42, 100-33-10. The huge PAVE PAWS antenna arrays are visible from quite a distance. It was an active installation, so I didn't stray too close to the fence. Cruised I-10 east back to San Antonio, but I wasn't quite finished. Headed north on I-35 to San Marcos; then took 80 and 142 east to Lockhart; then 183 south to Lockhart Municipal Airport, 29-51, 97-41. It is still in use as Lockhart (50R). Then back to 142, west to 80 then I-35, then headed home to San Antonio. Short day, only 8.5 road hours, covering 464 miles. Total coverage of the two days was 1,088 miles, in 21.5 driving hours.Thursday, 31 March 1994
Brooks AFB, San Antonio. Hangar 9 is the only WWI Air Service hangar still standing.March 1994 (exact dates lost)
854th AAF Specialized Depot (East Kelly), San Antonio Medina Annex (Lackland Training Annex, former Medina Base), San Antonio San Antonio AFS, on Fort Sam Houston, San AntonioSaturday, 2 April 1994
Georgetown MAP, GeorgetownSaturday, 16 April 1994
Cassin Field, San Antonio Cade AF Aux Fld, San Antonio Macdona Aux Fld, San Antonio Yturri Aux Fld, San AntonioSaturday, 23 April 1994
Alamo Field, San Antonio Alamo Downs Aux Fld, San Antonio Camp John Wise, in Olmos Park, San Antonio Dodd Field, on Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio Fort Sam Houston, San AntonioSunday, 24 April 1994
Krueger Aux Fld, San AntonioSaturday, 30 April 1994
Tyler AAFld, TylerApril 1994 (exact dates lost)
Diltz Aux Fld, FloresvilleSummary
This was a busy time for me! I was about to PCS to Barksdale AFB, so I wanted to see plenty of the former Air Force infrastructure in south and central Texas before I moved. In a two-month period, 4 February-4 April 1994, I put 7,665 miles on my 1980 Volvo. Updated January 26, 2025If you like what you find here, please consider making a monetary contribution. Domain name registration, web hosting, and travel cost plenty. You won't find any ads here to annoy you.