Trip Report: School Daze
First published in 1999. Reformatted 2025. In 1995, the Air Force sent me to three different training courses. These trips are grouped together in this report for your convenience. 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.Ohio in April
I attended a one-week course at the Air Force Institute of Technology on Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. I had fun seeing the base and visiting the USAF Museum. I rented a car and used my free time to do a bit of off-base exploring, as well. I even had dinner with my friends the Merrymans, whom I've known since 1979 at Bitburg AB, Germany!Sunday, 2 April 1995
Wright-Patterson AFB OH, ILC ZHTV and ZHTP. My flight arrived at the former Dayton AAFld, now the Dayton-Cox International Airport (DAY). It was early enough in the day to explore and get my bearings before the class. W-P is a huge place with two major sections, and (seemingly) dozens of gates. Getting lost is easy, and asking for directions gets "You can't get there from here." responses. I enjoyed seeing the accelerated runway, among the other interesting structures on the base. The USAF Museum has added a replica of an English WWII airfield control building.General view
Accelerated runway
Building
Replica control building
Tuesday, 4 April 1995
Clinton County AFB OH, 39-26, 83-48. One of my after-school activities was a drive to Airborne Airport (ILN). I was pleased to drive right up to the former SAC "Mole Hole" alert facility--locked and unused. Plenty of USAF-era buildings survive, such as dormitories, maintenance docks, and an elevated water storage tank. Construction was underway on a second runway to serve the Airborne Express hub.SAC alert facility
SAC alert facility
SAC alert facility
Dormitories
Dormitories
Maintenance hangars
Buildings and elevated water storage tank
General view
Wednesday, 5 April 1995
Gentile AFS OH, ILC HUSA. The depot is now labeled as Defense Electronic Supply Center, Gentile Station. I was not allowed to take photographs on the site.Entrance gate
Entrance gate
Building
Building
Elevated water storage tank
Elevated water storage tank
Thursday, 6 April 1995
McCook Field OH, 39-46-50, 84-11-30. On another afternoon I went in search of this early airfield. The land is developed--a memorial marker told me I was in the right place.New development
Marker
Friday, 7 April 1995
On Friday, class ended at noon--earlier than expected. My classmates scrambled to the phones to change their departure flights. I scrambled to a phone to make a reservation at the USAF Museum Research Division! I was lucky and it was a slow day, so I was invited to stop by. Great resource, I hope to visit again in the future when I can spend a few days.Saturday, 8 April 1995
Rickenbacker AFB OH, 39-48-51, 82-55-56. My flight wasn't until late afternoon, so I hit the road early and headed east. My first stop was Rickenbacker International (LCK). There was an ANG presence, and multiple civilian users on the former base. Hangars and dormitories, as well as a water tower and the alert facility, look much like they did in active service.General view
Control tower
Hangar
Dormitories
Elevated water storage tank
SAC alert facility
Hangar Newark AFB OH, ILC RRTC, at 40-01-15, 82-29-20. This is one of the smallest AFBs, with one large building dominating the installation. This property was originally Air Force Plant #48, and was being prepared for the Air Force Heavy Press Program when it was cut from the plan in 1953. It was picked up for metrology use in the late 1950s, and after a brief stint as Heath Maintenance Annex, it became Newark AFS. It was redesignated Newark AFB in approximately 1989, and closed in 1996.
View from outside gate After that, I headed back to Dayton and caught my flight home.
Mississippi in June
Another training course. Drove my own car this time, to Keesler AFB, Mississippi, for two weeks of classroom instruction. I took three days to get there, and two days to return home. Plus, I had a weekend to play while I was there, making this quite a profitable trip. I even managed to find some time to spend with my brother and his family.Friday, 2 June 1995
Lafayette Airport LA, 30-12-30, 91-59-30. Departed Haughton, LA, and headed south. First stop was a WWII contract flying training school operated by Lafayette School of Aeronautics. It is now the Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT).Hangar
Hangar
General view New Iberia Airfield LA. This airport shows as an Army Air Forces airfield on a 1942 listing. I've found no other documentation of Army Air Forces use of this airport, however during WWII it was improved under the Development of Landing Areas for National Defense (DLAND) program.
Non-historic control tower
Non-historic control tower and operations building
Non-historic control tower and operations building
Traffic check house Since I was in the neighborhood, I visited Avery Island and toured the Tabasco plant, which was fun. Then I pressed on to Houma and found the Holiday Inn as the sun was setting. Drove 482 miles in 12 hours, 40 minutes.
Saturday, 3 June 1995
NAS Houma LA. First stop was the Houma-Terrebonne Airport (HUM), formerly a Naval Lighter-than-Air (LTA) Station. I saw the buttresses of a huge airship hangar--I could scarcely believe the hangar had been that large. Other buildings, such as hangars and munitions igloos, remain from the WWII era.Non-historic sign
DC-3 aircraft
Hangar buttresses
Hangar buttresses
Elevated water storage tank
Elevated water storage tank
Hangar
Munitions storage igloo Houma AFS LA, ILC LCJK, at 29-33-45, 90-40-30. A former radar site is also on the airport grounds. This was my first radar station visit, so I gave the search radar tower a puzzled look without realizing what it was. A height finder tower was nearby, and a school controls the entire compound.
Search radar tower
Height-finder radar tower Houma Family Housing Annex LA. A 27-unit family housing area is half a mile north of the radar site.
Housing Hammond AAFld LA, 30-31, 90-25. Moving on, I stopped at the Hammond Airport (0R9), I was impressed by the WWII-era control tower, unused and fenced off, but looking good.
General view
Control tower
Control tower
Control tower Hammond ANG Communications Station LA, ILC KAFF. The Hammond airport is also home to this Air National Guard station.
General view New Orleans AAB LA, 30-02, 90-02. From Hammond, I drove to New Orleans, and fought traffic to Lakefront Airport (NEW), An Army National Guard aviation installation occupies the former AAF facilities.
General view By this time, it was getting dark, so I found a convenient Howard Johnson's and called it a day. Today's jaunt covered 373 miles in 11 hours, 35 minutes.
Sunday, 4 June 1995
Alvin Callender Field LA, 29-51, 90-00. First stop was the nearby NAS New Orleans (NGB). I enjoyed seeing the aircraft on static display. There were Naval Air Reserve, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve organizations on this active Navy base.General view
General view
General view
Hangar
A-7 display aircraft
F-100 display aircraft Gulfport AAFld MS, 30-24, 89-04. Then I headed to Mississippi and visited Gulfport-Biloxi Regional (GPT). The WWII airfield now has a strong ANG presence, in the form of the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC).
Hangar
Buildings
Dormitories Keesler AFB MS, ILC MAHG, at 30-25, 88-55. This was my first visit to Keesler since 1983--accommodations in Muse Manor hadn't changed much.
Flightline
Barracks
Barracks
Hangar
Hangar This was a short day--162 miles in 4 hours, 40 minutes. The three-day trek from home had been 1,014 miles long.
During the week, 5-9 June 1995
I attended a training class, but I also did some research. The wing historian, George Cully, was a very gracious host--I showed up at his office each day on my lunch break, and again for an hour at the end of the day. He had well-organized files and hard-copy histories of Keesler dating back to WWII, and welcomed me to browse them at my convenience. I gathered considerable information on Keesler and it's off-base and detached installations--a complicated set of relationships. Thanks George!Saturday, 10 June 1995
Pascagoula National Guard Armory MS. Time for a drive in the country. First stop, while trying to get my bearings, was this armory located a couple miles west of the airport.Building Keesler Training Annex #2 MS, 30-22-30, 88-29-30. Then on to the Bayou Casotte Industrial Park. A 1943 station list describes Pascagoula Airport as "XC for FTC," meaning use as a cross country landing field by the Flying Training Command. It was later used as a training annex for Keesler AFB.
General view Bates Field AL, 30-41-25, 88-14-20. On to Mobile Regional Airport (MOB), A few buildings look like they date from Army Air Forces use.
Hangar Brookley AFB AL, 30-58, 88-04. Across town to the Mobile Downtown Airport (BFM) with a mix of industrial, college, and Coast Guard uses. Note the detail on the vintage hangars. Some former Air Force dormitories still stand.
Hangar detail
Hangar
Dormitories
Hangars
Hangars
Hangars
Hangars
Hangars
Hangars
Ships and gantry
Buildings
Buildings
Buildings
Building
Building
Building Fort Gaines AL. Heading toward the Gulf, I crossed the causeway to Dauphin Island. Fort Gaines was a masonry coast defense fort featuring Battery Stanton and Battery Terrett. The fort offers a view of the former radar site next door.
General view
General view
Non-historic sign
Non-historic sign
Non-historic sign
General view
General view Dauphin Island AFS AL, ILC FBBH, 30-15-00, 88-04-40. This radar site was easy to find, right next to the historic fort. The search radar tower houses a visitor center for the Sealab Educational Facility. A few of the Air Force buildings are still in use by the Coast Guard, and others support the educational facility.
General view
General view
General view
General view
General view
General view
Dormitories
Dormitories
Building
Buildings
Radar tower
Radar tower
Radar tower interior structure
Radar tower interior structure
Radar tower interior structure
Radar tower interior structure
Radar tower interior structure
Water storage tank and pump house Dauphin Island Family Housing Annex AL, ILC FBBJ, 30-14-51, 88-04-49. The former housing is now a Coast Guard recreational facility.
Housing
Housing Saint Elmo Airport AL, 30-30-10, 88-15-25. Driving inland, I visited this airport that was an auxiliary field to Anniston AAFld in WWII. It was later given a second career as an auxiliary to Keesler AFB, 1969-74.
General view Keesler Dock Annex MS, 30-23-30, 88-51-30. Back in Mississippi, I visited the former Point Cadet Coast Guard Air Station. The Air Force acquired it in 1950, and it remained an annex of Keesler AFB until 1966. A single hangar stands north of the highway, and I was told it is used for a farmers market.
Hangar
Hangar
Hangar
Hangar
Hangar
Hangar
Hangar
Hangar
Hangar
Hangar This day trip was a mere 254 miles, in 9 hours, 35 minutes.
Sunday, 11 June 1995
East Falcon Park Family Housing MS. Local ops today. This is one of Keesler's housing areas.General view Keesler Rifle Range #1 MS, 30-28-45, 88-51-39. North of town, an unusual monument in a fenced field was shown on a WWII map. This guided me to the approximate area of the firing range. This former Mississippi National Guard firing range was adopted for AAF use in 1942, and supported Keesler Field until 1944.
Monument
General view Keesler Small Arms Range Annex MS, ILC MAWU, 30-31-30, 88-58-45. I visited the gate of the current range. The AAF acquired this property in 1943, as Rifle Range #3. It eventually became Keesler's only range.
General view
General view
General view
General view Keesler Training Annex #1 MS, ILC MAYA. Back near the base, this former training annex is now called Thrower Park Housing. A building remains from the former radar-training mission. This property was transferred from the Veterans Administration to the USAF, via the GSA, in 1952.
Building
Building
Building
Building Keesler Training Annex #3 MS, ILC MAYC, 30-23-15, 89-01-00. This former annex is now the Naval Home. Originally the civilian Gulf Coast Military Academy, the property was acquired by the USAF in 1951. This installation was home to Headquarters, Technical Training Air Force from 1951 until about 1958. At a later time, it was redesignated and hosted a communications engineering and installation group. The property was transferred to the Navy in 1972 or 1973. Some older buildings remain, although newer construction covers most of the site.
Gate
Historical marker
Building
Building
Modern building Maltby Hall MS. The facility is still active, in the area called Maltby Hall Housing. You have to leave Keesler AFB to get to this facility. The property lines touch at one corner, and I don't know if this property was ever an annex, or has always been considered part of the base proper.
General view
During the week, 12-16 June 1995
Again, I pored through Keesler history documents at lunch and after class--by now, people in the Wing HQ building assumed I worked there. I also met with Keesler's Real Property Officer and the NCOIC of the Drafting Section, who kindly provided information and let me peruse layout drawings.Saturday, 17 June 1995
Keesler Petroleum Products Storage Annex MS, PIN 1283, 30-24-20, 89-02-15. School's out! First order of business, find the former POL annex located on Bayou Benard, near Gulfport AAFld. It has reverted to commercial use. The photo shows the approximate site, I don't have vintage photos or plans to confirm the layout.General view Hancock County Bombing Range MS, 30-22-30, 89-27. This airfield, now called Stennis International Airport (HSA), supported a WWII bombing range to the west.
General view Wiggins Radio Beacon Annex MS, ILC YYHG, 30-50-31, 89-09-29. Heading north on the Interstate, I vectored to the former Stone County Airport, now Dean Griffin Memorial (MS06). Long abandoned, this former NAVAID is still surrounded with barbed wire and U.S. Government warning signs. The rectangular property had two tall wooden poles that supported a radio beacon antenna. It was assigned to Keesler AFB from 1967 to 1973.
General view
Sign
SIgn
General view
General view Hattiesburg AAFld MS, 31-16, 89-15. On to Bobby L. Chain Municipal Airport (HBG). This was a 3AF base in WWII, associated with the Army's Camp Shelby. At different times, it was listed as a sub-base of either Key Field or Laurel AAFld.
General view
Display aircraft
General view Laurel AAFld MS, 31-40-30, 89-10-30. On to Hesler-Noble Airport (LUL). This base listed first as 2AF, then 3AF, and was associated with Camp Shelby. As WWII ended, it became a surplus aircraft storage area.
Buildings
Building Columbus Auxiliary Airfield MS, ILC SHTQ, 32-56-30, 88-34-30. I couldn't see this airfield from either of the locked gates, but the signs told me I'd found the right place. This was originally a Navy field, established in 1978 as an outlying field to NAS Meridian. It transferred to the USAF and Columbus AFB in 1990.
Gate
Gate Columbus Auxiliary Field #9 MS, 33-28, 88-23. Now Columbus-Lowndes County Airport (UBS), this was an auxiliary to Columbus AAFld during WWII. The airport served again, 1969-73, when Del Rio Flying Service provided T-41 flying training under USAF contract.
General view By now sundown was rapidly approaching, so I stopped in Meridian for the night. Drove 484 miles, in 11 hours, 40 minutes.
Sunday, 18 June 1995
Forest Auxiliary Field #3 MS, 32-21, 89-29. West on I-20 to Forest, and Montgomery Airport (2M4). This was an auxiliary to Key Field in 1942, and by 1943 it was an auxiliary to Jackson AAB. It was also a CAA intermediate field, Site 46, FV-AG.General view Robins Field MS, 32-26-45, 90-06. I continued on to Jackson, and Campbell Airport (MB0). This airport was a WWII contract flying school, operated by Mississippi Institute of Aeronautics, Inc. from 1940 to 1944.
Hangars
General view Crystal Springs AFS MS, 31-58-45, 90-20-40. Outside of Crystal Springs I found the Job Corps Training Center. Security is tight at such places, so I was not allowed inside the gate. Some vintage buildings were visible from outside the fence.
Non-historic sign
General view
General view
General view
General view
General view Crystal Springs National Guard Armory MS. Near the radar station, I noticed this armory.
General view Vicksburg Auxiliary Field #4 MS, 32-14, 90-56. Onward to Vicksburg Airport (VKS), an auxiliary of Jackson AAB during WWII.
General view Selman Field LA, 32-30-54, 92-02-30. On the last leg home, I couldn't resist stopping at Monroe Regional (MLU). Several vintage buildings still stand on this WWII navigator school. A shooting club is using what may have been the AAF small arms range.
Buildings
Buildings
Hangar
General view Covered 435 miles in 9 hours. This 17-day adventure spanned 2,498 miles.
Washington DC in July
Another opportunity to attend a training class, this one in Arlington, Virginia. I did not rent a car for this trip, but used of the D.C. Metro system for some field work. Class didn't run especially late, the weather was nice, daylight hours were long, and the subway stop was one block away--what more encouragement did I need?Tuesday, 11 July 1995
After class I went to the Library of Congress. At this time, they had some newer electronic finding aids, but the bulk of older materials were still on cards. The card catalog rooms alone are larger than most libraries! It was taking half an hour to receive a document once you turned in a request form, so I only had time to peruse a couple items. Fun, and a fascinating place.Wednesday, 12 July 1995
A genealogist in my class announced an after-school trip to the National Archives and Records Administration, and would anyone care to join? That's my kind of invitation. We went to the main (downtown DC) facility. I didn't accomplish any research, but did find a couple useful books in the gift shop.Thursday, 13 July 1995
Fort Myer VA, 38-52-30, 77-04-45. I took the Metro to Arlington National Cemetery, then hoofed it up the hill to the fort. It is still an active Army base, and the parade ground looks much like it did during the acceptance flights of the Wright airplane.General view
General view
General view
General view
General view
General view
Historical marker
Historical marker
Historical marker
Historical marker
Friday, 14 July 1995
College Park Airport MD, 38-58-45, 76-55-30. My final after-class adventure! It took a couple of train changes, but I made it to College Park, and had a short walk to a small museum on the airport. It was closed, and I didn't know the airfield layout well enough to find any traces of early military use. Then I had the fun of trying to convince a cab driver that there was indeed a National Archives facility in College Park: "No, no, you need downtown Washington!" By the time I got to NARA College Park, it was too late to check out any materials. I at least acquired a researcher card and was able to browse some finding aids in the cartographic section.General view
General view
Historical marker
Saturday, 15 July 1995
The flight home was uneventful. Not a bad little trip. I was quite pleased to visit two historic airfields without a car! 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.