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| Library > History > AETC Significant Events > 1940-49 |
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26 Mar 41
The Army activated the Air Corps Technical Training Command at Chanute Field, IL. The command moved to permanent headquarters in Tulsa, OK, in Sep 41.
23 Jan 42
The Army activated the Air Corps Flying Training Command in Washington, D.C., and Maj Gen Barton K. Yount assumed command on 28 Jan.
15 Mar 42
The Army redesignated its training commands as the Army Air Forces Technical Training Command (AAFTTC) and the Army Air Forces Flying Training Command (AAFTC).
16 Apr 42
After moving from Tulsa, OK, HQ AAFTTC opened at Knollwood, NC.
Summer 42
Army Air Forces Technical Training Command developed mobile training for tactical maintenance personnel and aircrews. The mobile training units (MTU) took their training equipment to the receiving organization in trailers or transport aircraft, with each MTU set up to provide instruction on one type of aircraft. By the end of World War II, 163 MTUs had been created to provide field training.
1 Jul 42
Headquarters AAFTC moved to the Texas and Pacific Railway Building in downtown Fort Worth, TX. This building appears in the masthead for this home page and is still standing, located at the intersection of interstate highways 30 and 35.
5 Nov 42
Basic training began at the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center (later, Lackland AFB). A total of 133 recruits arrived from Tarrant Field in Fort Worth, Texas, to begin training under field conditions. The trainees were quartered in squad tents that were heated with wood-burning stoves and had to enjoy their meals served in mess kits from a field kitchen.
1943
A major advance in flying training occurred with the introduction of separate central instructor schools for pilot, bombardier, navigator, instrument flying, fixed gunnery, and flexible gunnery training.
31 Jul 43
Army Air Forces Technical Training Command prepared for inactivation. Its resources and its technical and basic military training missions transferred to Army Air Forces Flying Training Command. At the same time, the War Department redesignated AAFFTC as the Army Air Forces Training Command. The command now included over 600 training installations and more than a million people.
31 Aug 43
The War Department inactivated AAFTTC.
Jun 45
The Officer Candidate School transferred from the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center to Maxwell Field, AL.
Sep 45
Navigation training consolidated at Ellington Field, TX, though classes finished out at San Marcos Field, TX, in November; at Hondo Field, TX, in December; and at Selman Field, LA, until early in 1946. When the Army Air Forces announced the closing of Ellington Field early in 1946, the command moved navigation training to Mather Field, CA.
Jan-Feb 46
The command headquarters moved from Forth Worth, TX, to Barksdale Field, LA.
Apr 46
The command experienced a fatality-free month in flying training for the first time in its history.
1 Jul 46
AAFTC redesignated as Air Training Command.
18 Jul 46
The first formal jet transition training course established at Williams Field, AZ, using P-80 (later configured as the T-33) aircraft.
Oct 46
The War Department established air Reserve Officer Training Corps units at 78 schools and universities with an enrollment of about 8,700 students.
Sep 47
Air Training Command combined its primary and basic flying training into a single eight-month course with two phases and added a two-week pre-flight segment. All flying was done in the T-6 "Texan." By the end of the year, Randolph AFB, TX, was the only ATC base providing basic flying training.
18 Sep 47
The USAF established as a separate service.
1 Aug 48
Sheppard AFB, TX, which had been closed since Aug 46, reopened as a basic military training base.
Jan-Feb 49
Helicopters from San Marcos AFB, TX, and a C-47 from Randolph AFB, TX, helped provide medical supplies and food to snowbound families and stranded livestock in Nebraska and Wyoming during Operations Hayride and Snowbound.
1 Mar 49
Helicopter and liaison pilot training transferred from San Marcos AFB, TX, to Waco AFB, TX.
31 Mar 49
Ellington AFB, TX, which had been a bombardier and navigator training base during World War II, reopened for navigator training.
Apr 49
The last aircraft and engine mechanic class entered training at Keesler AFB, MS. Aircraft mechanic training transferred to Sheppard AFB, TX, and basic training ended at Sheppard.
22 Apr 49
The command introduced the T-33 jet aircraft in its single-engine advanced pilot training at Williams AFB, AZ.
Oct 49
Air Training Command headquarters moved from Barksdale AFB, LA, to Scott AFB, IL.
14 Nov 49
Flying and Technical Training Divisions, which had been subcommands since Nov 46, were inactivated, and HQ ATC became directly responsible for its 17 active bases.
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