After a full year of operation, KAAF was becoming an Army Air Force gunnery school. The school was exceeding in many ways. The Gunnery School was the primary concern. They added a program in Co-Pilot Transition. They also had two WASP classes at the airfield. They also added some Chinese Gunnery Students to the school. 1944 was a big year for KAAF.
January
1-(a)The first installment of the base’s history was
completed. It starts at the end of 1942 and proceeds to January 1944. (b) The Four Engine Transition Group (Co-Pilot)
program was established. (c) The 382nd Sub-Depot was now under the supervision
of the Post Commander. (bh)
2-A B-17 from Kingman Field disintegrated in mid-flight over McClellan Field, CA. This
flight cost the lives of 13 Army Air Force personnel and eleven of which were stationed at KAAF. There was a lone survivor,
Major James H. Wergen from KAAF. (bh)
3-A nine hour preflight course was initiated. (bh)
4-Sergeant Dennis R. Pitman was found at the bottom
of the colored swimming pool. He was in charge of the black personnel of the
Production Line Maintenance. (bh)
6-On a somber night, a tragic accident took the
lives of 28 men. A bus crossing the railroad tracks at the main gate, when
they were slammed into by an oncoming train with full force. There were a few
survivors from this accident. The bus was carrying gunnery cadets from ground
training exercises. (bh) (a) KAAF has discharged close to 300 men. (b)
Marguerite Chapman, a Hollywood actress, made a visit to KAAF, to cheer up the
troops. (mcm)
8-Women’s Army Corps Lieutenant Evelyn I. Biggs
marries Lieutenant E. J. Ward. (mcm)
10-Gun camera films were being shown at the Jam
Handy building #4. It was soundproof; this helped the instructors to teach
better. (bh) The KAAF basketball league got under way with 19 teams to play 180
games. (mcm)
13-The Number 34; Waller Trainer was completed. The
Director of Synthetic Training accepted on this date. Numbers 36 and 48 were
installed later. (bh) Mohave County Chamber of Commerce invited Colonel Huglin and Lieutenant Alfred B. McCreary
(Public Relations Officer) for a discussion on better cooperation between the
military and civilians. (mcm)
14-(a) The H. L. Royden Construction Company has won
the bid to construct an underpass at the airfield. The price tag is $29,379.78.
They have to be finished by March 31. (b) Erwin Rudolph, five times billiards
champion, made a visit to the base to show off his wizardry in four
demonstrations. KAAF was his 287 military post visit. (mcm)
15-(a) The office of the Director of Supply &
Maintenance is moving from the Production Line Maintenance hanger to the Base
Operations building. (b) Brigadier General Martinus Stenseth, Commanding
General of the 82nd Flying Training Wing made a visit to KAAF to awarded two
sergeants in heroism. They were Staff Sergeant Jerome St. John and Sergeant
Walter W. Pharr. The rescued fellow crew members when a plane crashed on the
field. (bh)
20-Thomas Walker, a former student at Mohave County
High School, recently graduated from KAAF as a gunner cadet. The Robert J.
Curran Post #3516 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars awarded Lieutenant H. L.
Conrad the Cross of Malta. He was stationed at Hickman Field, HI during the
attack on Pearl Harbor. Now he is a pilot
at KAAF. (mcm)
21-A contract that was worth $29,379.78, the H. L.
Royden Construction Company out of Phoenix, AZ has been awarded the bid to constructed
an underpass at the airfield. This money
came from the Arizona Highway Commission by the
request of the Public Roads Administration. The plans for this underpass were already approved in December 1943 and authorization came a few days
after the bus crash. (bh)
22-One of the black soldiers was killed by a freight
train in an apparent suicide. (mcm)
24—Essay contest begins on “Why Buy Bonds” for the
4th War Bond Drive being conducted by the staff of the “Cactus” base paper.
(mcm)
26-The Gunners Basketball teams lost a close on the
boys based at Boulder City, 38-35 was the final score. (mcm)
27-Corporal George Carlson of the 460th Headquarters
& Air Base Squadron became the first winner of the essay contest. He was
awarded $25 for his efforts. (mcm)
28-Foster Field, TX transferred two P-39 to KAAF.
(mcm)
31-The 384th Army Air Force Band was transferred to
the 684th Army Band. The 684th was assigned to the Adjutant General’s
Department. (bh)
February
3-Lieutenant Charles A. Nogal was killed in a crash
of his P-39 at Foster Field, TX. (mcm)
4-The 4th War Bond Drive starts its entertainment
show. (mcm)
5-(a) The “Desert Battalion” makes a visit to KAAF,
hundred twenty young ladies are part of the revue.
It is part of the 4th War Bond Drive. (b) Captain John Knox, the gun camera officer, was killed in a B-17 crash
near Winslow, AZ. (mcm)
7-(a) Foster Field, TX sent two more P-39 to KAAF.
(b) The permanent runway lighting system is started by a civilian contractor.
(c) The 684th forms a drum and bugle corps for retreat ceremonies. (bh)
8-The Air-to-Air Firing Department completes
reorganization with Non-Commission Officer-in-Charge for each group of
instructors. This will cover Kingman and Yucca Fields. (bh)
15-The 4th War Bond Drive has boxing card as part of
the entertainment series. (mcm)
18-Major General P. T. Mow, Deputy Director of the
Aeronautical Commission of the Chinese Air Force from Washington, D. C. made a
visit to KAAF. He was here inspecting the training facilities. He found the
conditions to be satisfactory. Brigadier General M. F. Scanlon, Wing Commander
of the 36th Flying Training Wing, had made the visit with the Chinese General.
(bh)
19-The new Post Office wing was opened for business.
The Post Engineer did the construction. (bh)
22-B-17s returned for duty a Tyndall Field, FL.
There were eleven aircraft returning. (bh)
23-Special Services lost the Personal Affairs
Section. Personal Affairs became its own section at the Post Headquarters.
(bh) Stan Kenton & his Orchestra played for the troops and were hooked in
by national radio. (mcm)
28-Colonel Huglin made three appointments to
Officers Candidates School in Miami, FL.
The three men from the 460th and their names are Sergeants Jerome Hogan, Donald
Auer, and Corporal Robert Bell. (mcm)
March
1-(a) A program was set up to bring some of the
members of the 334th Aviation Squadron into flight line operations. They were
training small groups of the squadron. (b) The new Motor Pool building and
house was ready for occupancy. (bh)
2-The “Cactus” base newspaper celebrates its 1st
year at KAAF. (mcm)
4-Lieutenant Bernard Briggs was killed in an AT-6 on
a routine flight. (mcm)
8-Chinese Army Air Force Captain Chin spoke to the
local Rotary Club of the communication
system in the Chinese Army. (mcm)
10 & 11-Reporters and photographers from INS,
UP, AP, and Time Magazine were invited to tour the school. Brigadier General
Stenseth awarded four medals to four more heroes. Staff Sergeant William J.
Goyno received the Distinguished Flying Cross for North Africa, Technical
Sergeant Tim Touchin was given Oak Leaf Cluster of the Distinguished Flying
Cross, Technical Sergeant Cy Brendenoen earned on Oak Leaf Cluster for the Air
Medal, both men flew over Germany, Technical Sergeant Carl B. Olson picked up
the Air Medal for North Africa and Europe. (bh)
15-The 684th Army Band was redesignated as the 684th
Army Air Force Band. They were starting to practice playing Captain Glenn
Miller arrangements. (bh) The Civilian Cafeteria opens its doors after being
remodeled. (mcm)
23-There was problems with the upcoming construction
of the underpass. The original estimated cost of $29,379.78 was up to $40,000,
because the underpass was being moved thousand feet west of the original
crossing. The work got started around late April. There was also a underpass
built for Yucca AAF. (bh)
24-Phelman James Cordell and Morris Elton Brewer
broke into the Post Office at Chloride,
AZ. They were arrested soon after the break in. They
were civilian barbers at KAAF. (mcm)
27-A new and centrally located Merchandise Exchange
opened its doors. Those improvements were done by the Post Exchange. (bh)
Cordell and Brewer were questioned about the burglary and moved to Prescott,
AZ. (mcm)
28-Sergeant Hiram P. Venus, instructor, collapsed
at the athletic area and shortly died after. (mcm)
April
1-(a) The travel restrictions of the war were lifted
for all athletic functions. (b) The 1100th Guard Squadron and 760th Flexible
Gunnery Training Squadron were transferred to 460th Base Headquarters. (c) The
Parachute Shop broke new for new additions to
their building. (bh)
2-The Civilian Cafeteria reopened after some
remodeling. It looks more like a civilian eatery than the prior military style.
(bh)
4-Post Exchange setup a small exchange at Site Six.
Orders were shipped in by air. (bh) Private Luis G. Martinez of the 760th
Flexible Gunnery Training Squadron was found dead in bed from a brain
hemorrhage. (mcm)
10-KAAF has become an Air Transport Command
authorized intermediate stop effectively. (mcm)
15 & 16-(a) This weekend was another gunnery
meet at Yuma AAF, both instructors and students took 2nd place. (b) The Site
Six rest camp was opened. It had swimming, fishing, boating, and hiking. (bh)
17-KAAF graduates earned honors in the 8th Air
Force. Each man earned a Distinguished Flying Cross. Staff Sergeant Alois
Mayernik was from Class43-14 and Staff Sergeants John Lopes, Jr. and Leslie
Thibudeau are from Class 43-17. (mcm)
19-Staff Sergeant Floyd Ledbetter passed away after
being injured in a car accident last Saturday. The accident happens on U. S.
Route 93, few outside of Kingman. (mcm)
20-The pipeline from Hackberry to KAAF was
completed. This was to become a distribution system. With all wells and
reservoirs, the base would have a supply of 500,000 gallons available per day.
(bh)
21-The Base Alert Crew was now servicing every
aircraft with fuel and oil. With the addition of 15 fuel personnel and
equipment became part of the Alert Crew. They would handle station and incoming
aircraft. (bh) The local USO Club observed its 3rd anniversary. (mcm)
22-A General Order came from the Army Air Forces
Western Flying Training Command giving KAAF the designation of Army Air Force
Base Unit 3018 and Yucca became 3019. This would be effective on 1st of May.
(bh)
25-KAAF is investigating the mysterious dead of
Corporal Hayden Johnson. His body was found wrapped up in a parachute in
southern Arizona. (mcm)
29-Troop 59, USO Camp Shows, Inc. made a visit to
the troops at Yucca AAF. They will leave the area at noon on Monday. (mcm)
30-The 460th Base Headquarters & Air Base
Squadron and 684th AAF Band were disbanded and became Section A or 3018 Army
Air Force Base Unit. Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron, 328th Flexible
Gunnery Training Group were disbanded and change to Section B. The 1123rd FGTG,
Detachment 25 of the 858th Signal Service Company (Aviation), 909 Quartermasters
Company, Detachment 14 became Section C. Detachment 2053 Ordnance Company
Aviation (Service) was formed into Section D. The 31st Altitude Training Unit
was transferred into Section E. The 1012th Quartermaster Platoon,
Transportation, Air Base and 334th Aviation Squadron were placed in Section F.
The 536th Flexible Gunnery Training Squadron was disbanded and was assigned as
the 3019 AAFBU at Yucca AAF. (bh)
May
1-The first day of the new 3018 AAFBU at KAAF and
3019 AAFBU at Yucca AAF. (bh)
2-Softball begins on the field with intramural
activity. (bh)
3-Sergeant Edward Hall was fatally injured when he
was working on an AT-23. He fell into a propeller when fire broke out on one of
the engines. (mcm)
5-A new building was opened with three different
departments: retail meats, fresh fruits and vegetables. It was a modern cold
storage warehouse with fully equipped refrigerators. (bh) The “Cactus” base
newspaper staff was entertained by a banquet that was arranged by Dr. W. J.
Richards and here at the El Trovatore. (mcm)
11-Staff Sergeant Edward J. Dunstedler, aerial
gunnery instructor, was appointed to Officer candidate School. (mcm)
13 & 14-The 334th were entertained with a dance
and social events for the weekend. (mcm)
16-(a) An Instructor School was established at the
KAAF. It was to train graduate students in how to become instructors. (b) The
Exchange #3 was opened for business without food and fountain service. (bh)
17-Exchange #5 was put into service with no food and
fountain service. (bh) Major Arthur L. Knight gave a demonstration in hypnosis
to the Local Rotary Club. (mcm)
19-The announcement of a Mess Council forming for
the enlisted personnel. (mcm)
20-The baseball Gunners opened season with two games
with Las Vegas AAF. (mcm)
22-Dale Roe from the Red Cross will be teaching
first aid at KAAF during the day and Kingman in the evening. (mcm)
25-(a) Bob Schwarzrock kills a rabbit on the skeet
range with a rock. Because regulations will not allow cadet to fire live
weapons at wildlife. If he gets four more, he will become an ace. (b)Private
LeRoy Williams, a motor pool driver, was driving a trash truck notice some
papers were on fire went straight to the fire house to have it put out. (mcm)
26-This was the completion of training by the Red
Cross for the swimming pools. (bh)
29-Officers from KAAF and the Mohave County Sheriff
went to investigate a plane crash on a rancher’s land. Marine Crops 2nd
Lieutenant Norman Arendt was killed in the crash. He went missing on 27th
January, 1944. (mcm)
June
1 & 2-The 82nd Wing Boxing Tournament is
cancelled at the Kingman High School gym. The boxers came from KAAF, Las Vegas,
Yuma AAF, and Indian Springs AAF, NV. (mcm)
8-Cordell and Brewer were indicted by a Federal
Grand Jury for the burglary of the Chloride Post Office. This took place in Tucson, AZ. (mcm)
11-The P-39s were used for simulated attack type
missions. This was in addition to regular transition flying schedule. (bh)
12-(a) The experimental high altitude towing was
performed. (b) The “Cactus Room” was opened. (bh)
14-The high altitude towing became part of the
training. (bh)
15-Colonel Donald B. Phillips took over command of
the school from Colonel Huglin. (bh)
16-Hobbs Field, NM sent four B-17Fs to KAAF and this
bring to total to 55. (bh)
17-The Patio was opened. (bh)
19-A new 37 hour course would take effect. (bh)
21-Arizona Senator Carl Hayden spoke to a gathering
at the 5th War Bond Drive at the high school. Colonel Phillips and Brigadier
Generals Stenseth and Lyons were there with other ranking officers of KAAF.
(mcm)
24 & 25-Las Vegas hosted the national gunnery
meet. The schools involved in this meet are the home team of Las Vegas, KAAF,
Yuma AAF, Harlingen Field, TX, Buckingham and Tyndall Fields, FL. (mcm)
25-The traffic control board was completed and put
into place for station-to-station activity. (bh)
26-The second Exchange #6 was opened at Yucca AAF.
(bh)
27-The Base Communications helped in rescue
operation for the Grand Canyon. Crewmen from a B-24 from Nevada dropped safely
into canyon. (bh)
30-The night lighting system was completed and would
be maintained by the Night Lighting Department. The Night Lighting Crew would
only handle the obstruction lights. (bh) The crewmen were rescued from the
Grand Canyon. (mcm)
July
1-The Post Exchange started its 2nd mobile unit to
serve the various ranges. They also took over the Service Club Cafeteria and
Snack Bar. (bh)
7-The Lions and Rotary Clubs were invited by Colonel
Phillips to have dinner at KAAF. Mohave County officials, Santa Fe and Southern
Pacific Railroads and the Arizona State Taxpayers Association were invited
along for the event. (mcm)
8-A group of 30 enlisted guests, 10 permanent party
personnel and an officer went to the Grand Canyon for the opening of the Rest
Camp. (bh) Lieutenant Hugo J. Gehling marries Lieutenant Eleanor Bode in Las
Vegas, NV. (mcm)
8 & 9-As part of the 5th War Bond Drive with the
cooperation of KAAF, there was jeep rides for anyone who purchases a war bond.
(mcm)
10-A few of the Co-Pilot graduates received orders
for First Pilot Training. (bh) Captain Howard Brady’s body was examed after being
founded out in the desert. He was heading toward Site Six in a car and got
lost. He was the supply officer of Site Six. (mcm)
12-The Production Line Maintenance inspection system
was introduced in the Motor Pool Garage. (bh)
18-The new under pass and access road was completed
and turned over to the Post Engineers. (bh)
19-The new under pass was opened for use. (bh)
20-Staff Sergeant Collie D. Hooper went thru new
Centralized Meat Cutting and Fat Conservation course. (mcm)
22-The Post Library moved to the southwest wing of
the Recreation Building. It was air conditioned and 5591 books are on the
shelves. (bh) Major General Ralph P. Cousins visited KAAF and help pin medals
on three heroes. Technical Sergeant Victor R. Combs earned an Air Medal with 3
Oak Leaf Clusters. Staff Sergeant William J. Gonyo received an Air Medal with 4
Oak Leaf Clusters. Sergeant Harold O. Christensen collected a Silver Star and
a Purple Heart. (mcm)
23-Major General Ralph P. Cousins of the AAF Western
Flying Training Command spoke at a briefing on how he taught. KAAF is one of
the top schools in the Army Air Force. (mcm)
22 & 23-KAAF instructors took 1st place in the
82nd Flying Training Wing Gunnery Meet at the school. The students took 2nd
place. (mcm)
27-The Quartermaster Department initiated the new
Post Ice Plant. Ice went to the Mess Halls and alike. (bh)
29-The landscaping and building improvements were
complete on the Single Engine Section. (bh)
31-Staff Sergeant Sherman A. Clay retires from the
military after 32 years of service. He entered the service in 1912. He was
assigned to Yucca AAF. (mcm)
August
1-Second Lieutenant Leslie E. Cannon was killed in a
P-39 at Amarillo Army Air Field, TX. He was one mile from the airfield when his
aircraft went into a spin and crashed. (mcm)
2-KAAF helps celebrate the Army Air Force 35th
Anniversary with an open house and invited the Mohave County citizens. There
was a large crowd for the event. (mcm)
5-The local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign
Wars have a celebration for Colonel Phillips. (mcm)
7-The Preventive Maintenance Range was put into use
with only being partly operational. (bh)
9-Colonel Donald B. Phillips made a presentation to
the Rotary Club and also his guests were Colonel Leroy A. Rainey and Lieutenant
Harold V. Klare. (mcm)
10-The trail of Cordell and Brewer for the burglary
in Chloride. They were found guilty after seven and half hours of deliberation.
(mcm)
11-Mrs. Donald Phillips starts a Cadets Wives’ Club.
(mcm)
14-Corporal George Carlson was transferred to
overseas duty. Carlson had been station here for 17 months. (mcm)
15, 16, & 17-KAAF’s seventeen piece Dance Band
performed at the Hollywood Canteen. The 15th, they played from 7 P. M. to 9 P.
M. On the 16th & 17th, they played from 10 P. M. till midnight. (mcm)
16-The Director of Flying received a wire from Santa
Ana, CA. This was to inform KAAF to establish a Women Air Service Pilot
Training Program. (bh)
18-Majors Clary and Lees along with Lieutenant
Davidson attended a conference Yuma AAF, AZ about the WASP Training Program. (bh)
19 & 20-The instructors and students won the
moving base competition at Yuma AAF. But fell behind in the overall standing of
the competition. (mcm)
20-(a) There were problems with the main power
cables on the lower ball turret. The cables were shorting out causing the
insulation to burn and there was also a cable shortage, so all cables were
repaired. (b) The P-63 aircraft was to replace the P-39 in the gunnery training
program. (c) The Art Department moved
into the Publication Department. (bh)
21-The first of the WASP classes has begun. They
would be trained for the TB-26 Co-Pilot School. (bh) Staff Sergeant Paul H. Hines of the “Cactus” base paper was
transferred to Marfa AAF, TX to work on the base paper there. Sgt. Hines is the
associate editor since the inception of the paper. (mcm)
23-Colonel Phillips gave out two medals to more
heroes. Sergeants Ralph I. Martin received Distinguished Flying Cross and
Howard V. Wilbur earned the Air Medal with two silver oak leaf clusters. (mcm)
24-Major John D. Elland was assigned to the post of
Assistant Deputy for Training & Operation. His brother, Sergeant William
B. Elland is also station here too and
works in the turret maintenance section. (b) KAAF awarded 4 civilians for
their suggestions as part of the National Ideas for Victory. James S. Weaver
and Charles H. Smith won $50 each, Frank W. Ferguson received $35 and James
Chamberlain earned $30. (mcm)
25-The control tower replaced its old 24-volt battery with a 110-volt power unit on the high-frequency
transmitter. (bh)
28-KAAF gains three more Captains. 1st Lieutenants
Clifford E. Hane, Chaplains Cecil F. Petrie and Arthur B. Mercer are earning
their double silver bars. (mcm)
September
6-The Photo Studio was closed. (bh)
8-(a) The local Elks Lodge initiated new members
from KAAF. (b) Yucca AAF met the softball team from St. Mary’s for the
championship. St. Mary took the championship. (mcm)
9-The Elks hosted a dance for its newest members
from KAAF. (mcm)
11-KAAF has a new champion B-17 to set the record on
original flying hours before on overhaul. The B-17 with the tail number
42399931 had 978 hours and 5 minutes. The crew chief of the aircraft is
Sergeant Carl V. Youts of Section C. (mcm)
15-The tower personnel was transferred to the base communication from the base operation. (bh)
16 & 17-KAAF wins the student's competition and the
instructors placed sixth. This is the 3rd National Gunnery Meet. Private First
Class Herbert H. Barr won the overall student competition. (mcm)
17-The Rosh Hashanah services are being held at the
East Chapel. It runs until Tuesday. (mcm)
18-The next WASP training class is started. (bh) Private First Class Roy L. Duncan died from
head injuries from an AT-6. It crashed as it was taking off. (mcm)
19-A B-17 from
KAAF crashed on the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, AZ. All on board were
killed. (mcm)
20-The first class of WASPs leaves KAAF. (bh) The KAAF Women’s Club gave a dance at the
Kingman Service Club. (mcm)
22-The radio range station was shut downed and moved
to Prescott, AZ. This was due to the realignment of airways from Needles, CA to
Winslow, AZ. (bh)
24-Site Six Post Exchange was closed. Site Six
personnel was becoming skeleton crew of permanent party. (bh)
25-Aviation Cadet Cecil C. Harrison is killed in a
motorcycle crash resulting for chasing two young boys, who stole a car in
Kingman. (mcm)
27-The first detachment of Women Army Crops arrived
at the field. They would be part of the Office of the Quartermaster. Section D
was used for the new WAC personnel. (bh)
28-(a) An AT-23 crashes south of the runway and
kills two crew members and injures two others. (b) Corporal James L. Arnold
becomes the 1st black gunnery student to finish the gunnery training program.
(mcm)
30-(a) A fire at the Salvage and Reclamation burn a
good portion of the baled used paper. (b)
Marana Field, AZ sent 29 BT-13As to the Single Engine Shop. (bh)
October
3-The Canvas & Webbing Repair Section was moved
to the Sub-Depot area. (bh) (a) KAAF
received 60 more WACs. (b) The KAAF Bowling League starts up for the season.
(mcm)
5-The National Association of Air Force Women
Chapter at KAAF elected officers. Mrs. Donald Phillips is the honorary
president. (mcm)
6-Technical Sergeants John O. Roberts and Peter P.
Cardaro meet at KAAF for a refresher course. The two men had trained here
before going overseas. (mcm)
7-The Non-Commission Officers Club holds its first
Formal Dance. (mcm)
9-Fourteen members of the Parachute Department
jumped without a mishap. The ladies in the department got a box of candy. (bh) KAAF sent ten officers to Santa Ana, CA for
supervisory training. The training lasted for a week. (mcm)
10-Sergeant Amos O. Strawder dies from his injuries,
he received from a motorcycle crash with Cadet Harrison on 25th of September.
(mcm)
12-The Army Air Force Aid Society is now part of
KAAF. (mcm)
15-The 2nd class of WASP was sent to their next duty
stations. During this training session, a wire was received from Santa Ana, CA
to discontinue the WASP Training at KAAF. (bh)
17-The Aircraft Recognition Training was terminated
and personnel were transferred to other sections. (bh)
19-The Civilian Personnel Offices moved to building
H134 from A104. (bh)
21-Deming Field, NM sent 2 AT-11 to KAAF. (bh)
21 & 22-KAAF visits Las Vegas for the 82nd Flying
Training Wing Gunnery Meet. (mcm)
25-The last issue of “The Cactus” was printed by the
Publication Department. The department had been printing the paper since April,
1943. The Mohave County Miner paper would do the printing of the future issues.
(bh)
26-The Ground Safety Officer is informing the base
personnel to obey all traffic rules to help reduce “Time Lost” accidents. (mcm)
31-Hundred fifty students arrived from Luke Field,
AZ. They came into be trained in Co-Pilot Transition Course. (bh) (a) Special Services Office started to
hold weekly at the airfield’s Little Theater. (b) Major Arthur L. Knight
entertained the folks at the Lions Club Halloween party. (mcm)
November
1-(a) The last of the WASP cadets are no longer at
KAAF. There is no more WASP Training for the future. (b) The Winslow Ferry
Station, AZ is place under the budget controls of KAAF. Winslow has come to
KAAF for supplies and funds. (bh)
2-Section C is separated into five flights for better
coordination. (bh)
3-A tragic mid-air collision of a B-17 and a P-39,
this took place during a morning training flight. The accident kills 15 men.
(mcm)
9-The Upholstery Shop at the Motor Pool opens for
business. (bh)
10-The Post Bakery was opened for business. (bh)
13-A new nursery had begun at the Base Hospital. (bh)
14-Sergeant John B. Handford is transferred to
Atlantic City Rehabilitation Station Public Relation Office. Sgt. Handford was
part of “The Cactus” paper and the Public Relation Office at KAAF. (mcm)
20-The 1st class of newly commissioned officers
graduates from KAAF. (mcm)
24-Staff Sergeant Robert Horste returns as a gunnery instructor after flying 25 sorties as a
ball turret gunner. He was here as an instructor from March, 1943 to January,
1944. (mcm)
27-ON THE LINE Training Detachment has been
activated. This training section contained students waiting for Pre-Flight
School. (bh)
28-Staff Sergeant John D. Fulton returns as an
instructor after a year and half and 30 missions later. He graduated in July,
1943 from KAAF. (mcm)
December
1-(a) This marked the 2nd anniversary of the
Personnel Section on the airfield. Only five members are still here. (b) The
Publications department moves to K101 from Building 20. A message center was
set up to deliver documents. (bh)
7-KAAF is given an “Excellent” rating in an overall
inspection done by the 82nd Flying Training Wing. (mcm)
11-The basketball league season begins. (bh)
17-(a) Hundred twenty-nine men arrived at the field
from Lockheed Aircraft Factory School of Burbank, CA. They were assigned to the
On-the-Line Training Detachment. (b) The Post Exchange #4 was closed for 10 days for repairs. (bh) The first WAC/GI wedding was held at the
base. Staff Sergeant Maggie Hogan and Private William Thompson were married at
the East Chapel. (mcm)
20-The gunnery school held a Christmas Party for the
kids of the base personnel. (mcm)
21-The TB-26 Martin Marauder with affection is known
as “761” has been flown for over 900 hours on the same engines without an
overhaul. The “761” is one of the tow target aircraft of the early days. (mcm)
25-With Christmas declared as a legal holiday by
the War Department. So the base had a USO Camp Show called “Monkey Shines” and
a Christmas Dinner. There also was a free G. I. Dance. (mcm)
copyright 1991-2017
email: kingmanaafsd41@gmail.com
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