Don Taylor | profile | all galleries >> usa_travels >> Arizona/Utah Southwest Galleries >> Utah galleries >> Windover Air Field Utah | tree view | thumbnails | slideshow |
Wendover Air Field, along the Utah-Nevada border about 100 miles west of Salt Lake City, was the training site for the 509th Group prior to their mission over Japan to drop the atomic bombs in 1945. On 01 January 1979 the Hill and Wendover Ranges, and part of the Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, were consolidated into the Utah Test and Training Range and placed under the management of the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) at Edwards Air Force Base.
With the entrance of the United States into World War II, Wendover Field began to take on greater importance. For much of the war the installation was the Army Air Forces' only bombing and gunnery range. Heavy bomber crews from all over the country converged on the burgeoning airfield for training before being assigned to overseas bases. On 1 March 1942 the Army Air Force activated Wendover Air Base and also assigned the research and development of guided missiles, pilotless aircraft, and remotely-controlled bombs to the site. By late 1943 there were approximately 2,000 civilian employees and 17,500 military personnel at Wendover. Construction at the base continued for most of the war, and by May 1945 the base consisted of 668 buildings, including a 300-bed hospital, gymnasium, swimming pool, library, chapel, cafeteria, bowling alley, two movie theatres, and 361 housing units for married officers and civilians. |
Wendover Airfield. |
Wendover Airfield |
Fire Station. |
Wendover Airfield |
Wendover Airfield |
Hospital. |
Wendover Airfield 6.jpg |
Wendover Airfield |
Barracks. |
Barracks |
Barracks |
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Dana Caldwell Craig | 13-Jun-2012 03:18 | |
Moschell Billingsley | 08-Feb-2011 00:11 | |