Group photo of what we believe to be the first group of instructors at the Walnut Ridge Army Basic Flying School (circa 1942)
The Training Begins
In 1942, the United States Army Air Corps selected Walnut Ridge as the site for one of its new basic flying schools, designed to train thousands of military pilots. Construction began in late spring and summer, and Walnut Ridge Army Air Field (AAF) officially opened on August 15, 1942.
The airfield featured a main runway measuring 6,000 feet, aligned 04/22, and two secondary runways, each 5,000 feet long, aligned 01/19 and 13/31. All runways were made of concrete. To support training operations, several auxiliary airfields were constructed:
Walnut Ridge AAF was assigned to the Southeast Training Command under the Army Air Forces Training Command. Training at the Army Air Forces Flying School (Basic) commenced in October 1943. The school focused on the third stage of pilot training, primarily using Vultee BT-13 Valiant single-engine monoplane trainers. Graduates were then transferred to advanced flying schools, such as Blytheville Army Airfield, and upon completion, received their pilot's wings and commissions as second lieutenants.
The base's training unit, the 11th Basic Flying Training Group, 27th Flying Training Wing (U.S. Army Air Forces), recorded a total of 160,646 flying hours from November 1, 1942, to September 30, 1943. This was above the Southeast Training Command's average of 129,474 hours for basic flying schools. Walnut Ridge had an accident rate of 0.49 per 1,000 hours, lower than the average of 0.57. However, the fatal accident rate at Walnut Ridge was higher, at 0.087 per 1,000 hours, compared to the average of 0.052. By June 30, 1944, total flight hours at Walnut Ridge had reached 414,429.
Throughout its operation, Walnut Ridge graduated over 4,600 pilots, though 42 students and instructors tragically lost their lives during training.
The airfield featured a main runway measuring 6,000 feet, aligned 04/22, and two secondary runways, each 5,000 feet long, aligned 01/19 and 13/31. All runways were made of concrete. To support training operations, several auxiliary airfields were constructed:
- Pocahontas Field AF Auxiliary #1 (Naval OLF) – 36°14′41″N 090°57′15″W
- Biggers Field AF Auxiliary #2 (Naval OLF) – 36°19′30″N 090°46′00″W
- Walcott Field AF Auxiliary #3 (Naval OLF) – 36°02′12″N 090°42′12″W
- Bono Field AF Auxiliary #4 (Naval OLF) – 35°57′02″N 090°47′24″W
- Beech Grove AF Auxiliary #5 (Naval OLF) – 36°11′47″N 090°37′30″W
Walnut Ridge AAF was assigned to the Southeast Training Command under the Army Air Forces Training Command. Training at the Army Air Forces Flying School (Basic) commenced in October 1943. The school focused on the third stage of pilot training, primarily using Vultee BT-13 Valiant single-engine monoplane trainers. Graduates were then transferred to advanced flying schools, such as Blytheville Army Airfield, and upon completion, received their pilot's wings and commissions as second lieutenants.
The base's training unit, the 11th Basic Flying Training Group, 27th Flying Training Wing (U.S. Army Air Forces), recorded a total of 160,646 flying hours from November 1, 1942, to September 30, 1943. This was above the Southeast Training Command's average of 129,474 hours for basic flying schools. Walnut Ridge had an accident rate of 0.49 per 1,000 hours, lower than the average of 0.57. However, the fatal accident rate at Walnut Ridge was higher, at 0.087 per 1,000 hours, compared to the average of 0.052. By June 30, 1944, total flight hours at Walnut Ridge had reached 414,429.
Throughout its operation, Walnut Ridge graduated over 4,600 pilots, though 42 students and instructors tragically lost their lives during training.
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