The Chief of the Air Corps had stated in January, 1939 that the United States Air Corps was 5th or 6th rate. When Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, the Air Corps had only about 800 first line combat aircraft and 25,000 men, while the German Air Force had 4,000 planes and 500,000 men.
In 1939, Congress authorized the Air Corps to expand its fleet to 6,000 airplanes. On May 16, 1940, with the war in Europe expanding, President Roosevelt called for the U.S. to increase aircraft production to 50,000 per year. America’s massive military expansion was now underway.
The events of December 7, 1941 unleashed an unimaginable flurry of activity throughout the military, as well as massive expansion and mobilization of America’s Industrial Complex.
Army Aviation expenditures skyrocketed, going from $74 million in 1939 to $3.9 billion in 1941 to $22 billion in 1942. Aircraft production soared from 3,611 in 1940 to peak at 96,270 airplanes per year in 1944. All told, the U.S. produced some 296,000 airplanes for WWII.
The U.S.’s three Flight Training Centers (Regions), (later called Commands), were busy expanding too. In August of 1940, the Air Corps was making plans to train 12,000 per year. In the spring of 1941 Congress called for training 30,000 new pilots. In 1942 they increased that number to 50,000 per year, and then raised the number to 70,000, then to 102,000. The 102,000 per year level was never reached, but peaked at about 93,600 per year in the fall of 1943.
To meet these goals for training new pilots, the Air Corps (which became the Army Air Forces on June 20, 1941) would have to have many more new air fields. Within the Southeast Flight Training Command, new air fields were authorized and built at Helena and Pine Bluff in 1941. These were Primary Flight Schools, operated by Civilian Contractors.
On Feb 28, 1942 a new Primary Flight Schools were authorized at Camden and on March 14, 1942 a new Basic Flight school was authorized at Dyersburg, Tennessee and on March 30, 1942 an Advanced Twin engine School at Blytheville, Arkansas. On April 30, 1942 a new Advanced Twin Engine was authorized at Stuttgart, Arkansas and on May 1, 1942 a new Basic Flight School was authorized at Newport, Arkansas.
This pattern was repeated all across the southern United States. The rapid expansion continued, and ultimately, the 3 Flight Training Commands established 56 Contract Primary Flight Schools, 26 Basic Flight Schools, 44 Advanced and Specialized Schools, and 151 College Training Detachments for WWII aircrew training.
Between January 1941 and August 1945, 312,911 Cadets and Student Officers entered Flight Training. Of that number, 85,491 or 27.32% washed out or were killed in Primary Flight Training. Another 28,474 or 9.10% washed out or were killed in Basic Flight Training, while 7,292 or 2.33% washed out or were killed in Advanced Flight Training. After winning their wings, 7,474 or 2.30% washed out or were killed in Transition Flight Training, and 3,168 or 1.01% washed out or were killed in Flight Instructor Training.
In 1939, Congress authorized the Air Corps to expand its fleet to 6,000 airplanes. On May 16, 1940, with the war in Europe expanding, President Roosevelt called for the U.S. to increase aircraft production to 50,000 per year. America’s massive military expansion was now underway.
The events of December 7, 1941 unleashed an unimaginable flurry of activity throughout the military, as well as massive expansion and mobilization of America’s Industrial Complex.
Army Aviation expenditures skyrocketed, going from $74 million in 1939 to $3.9 billion in 1941 to $22 billion in 1942. Aircraft production soared from 3,611 in 1940 to peak at 96,270 airplanes per year in 1944. All told, the U.S. produced some 296,000 airplanes for WWII.
The U.S.’s three Flight Training Centers (Regions), (later called Commands), were busy expanding too. In August of 1940, the Air Corps was making plans to train 12,000 per year. In the spring of 1941 Congress called for training 30,000 new pilots. In 1942 they increased that number to 50,000 per year, and then raised the number to 70,000, then to 102,000. The 102,000 per year level was never reached, but peaked at about 93,600 per year in the fall of 1943.
To meet these goals for training new pilots, the Air Corps (which became the Army Air Forces on June 20, 1941) would have to have many more new air fields. Within the Southeast Flight Training Command, new air fields were authorized and built at Helena and Pine Bluff in 1941. These were Primary Flight Schools, operated by Civilian Contractors.
On Feb 28, 1942 a new Primary Flight Schools were authorized at Camden and on March 14, 1942 a new Basic Flight school was authorized at Dyersburg, Tennessee and on March 30, 1942 an Advanced Twin engine School at Blytheville, Arkansas. On April 30, 1942 a new Advanced Twin Engine was authorized at Stuttgart, Arkansas and on May 1, 1942 a new Basic Flight School was authorized at Newport, Arkansas.
This pattern was repeated all across the southern United States. The rapid expansion continued, and ultimately, the 3 Flight Training Commands established 56 Contract Primary Flight Schools, 26 Basic Flight Schools, 44 Advanced and Specialized Schools, and 151 College Training Detachments for WWII aircrew training.
Between January 1941 and August 1945, 312,911 Cadets and Student Officers entered Flight Training. Of that number, 85,491 or 27.32% washed out or were killed in Primary Flight Training. Another 28,474 or 9.10% washed out or were killed in Basic Flight Training, while 7,292 or 2.33% washed out or were killed in Advanced Flight Training. After winning their wings, 7,474 or 2.30% washed out or were killed in Transition Flight Training, and 3,168 or 1.01% washed out or were killed in Flight Instructor Training.
THE ROLE OF WALNUT RIDGE
As the survey for the Dyersburg, Tennessee Basic Flying School was nearing completion, it was determined that 5 million cubic yards of dirt would have to be moved to build the air field there. Washington said to find a new site quickly, as there was a desperate need for the new school.
In early April 1942, a Board of three Air Force Officers, Lt. Col Burton Hovey, Jr., Lt. Col. John R. Cume, Jr. and Capt. Blanton Russell took off in search of a new location. Their flight brought them over an area just northeast of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas which looked promising. Returning by car the next day, the Board looked over the site, and checked on the schools, housing, utilities and transportation.
The Board was favorably impressed with the Walnut Ridge location, and on April 15, 1942 recommended it be substituted for the Dyersburg site.
As the recommendation moved up the chain of command, planning and surveying continued for the site at Walnut Ridge. The Board’s recommendation was approved, and construction work on the Walnut Ridge Army Air Field began on June 20, 1942.
A tract of land consisting of 3096.22 acres was taken for the project. The purchase price was $305,075. There were 58 improvements, including the Moran School on the property. 45 families were living on the land.
Five Auxiliary Air Fields were constructed, located at Biggers, Beech Grove, Bono, Pocahontas and Walcott. Another 2,623.9, acres were taken for these air fields.
The construction of the WRAAF brought in a flood of workers to the area. It is reported that some 1,500 workers swarmed to the site. Residents of Walnut Ridge and Pocahontas opened their hearts and homes to the new workers. People rented out vacant rooms, garages, attics and moved the kids into mom and dad’s bedroom to accommodate the workers.
Unemployment had reached 25% and more during the height of the depression. Walnut Ridge was described as a Ghost Town – no pedestrians, no automobile traffic. No one had any money – why come to town? At one time, there were 17 empty buildings on Main Street. The new air field brought a never-before experienced prosperity to most people in Lawrence and Randolph County. Now anyone who wanted to work could get a great paying job at the air field. Folks that were once glad to get $1.00 per day were suddenly making 50 cents to $1.00 per hour, or more. They came from all over: Jonesboro, Paragould, Monette, the Ozark Foothills and southern Missouri.
The Air Field was activated on August 15, 1942, with the arrival of the initial contingent of key military personnel. Ten days later, 100 troops arrived, but there was no housing was available on the air field, so these troops were transported to and from the CCC camp, located at five-mile springs, north of Pocahontas for the first 30 days.
Even though the airfield was planned and designed as an AAFBFS, for some time it appeared it would instead become an advanced glider school. As late as September 1942, preparations were being made for gliders, including request for Instructional materials, gliders and tow planes.
Meanwhile the first 3 classes of aviation cadets programmed for Walnut Ridge were sent to Blytheville, which was being built as an Advanced Twin Engine School. Blytheville was scarcely any better prepared than Walnut Ridge. Circus Tents were utilized for operations headquarters and classrooms. The runways were not ready, so flying was done from oil coated dirt strips.
Finally, near the end of September the Southeast Training Command at Maxwell Field clarified the situation by announcing 102 cadets and 3 student officers from Decatur, Alabama and 20 cadets from Camden, Arkansas would be sent to Walnut Ridge for Basic Flight Training. For reasons unknown to us, the advanced glider program was established at Stuttgart, which was being built as an Advanced Twin Engine School.
The first Student Officers and Cadets in Class 43-B began training at Walnut Ridge at 1:00 P.M on October 12, 1942. In just under 21 months 5,310 students entered training and 4,641 graduated. 42 students, instructors and passengers were killed in training. The last class graduated on June 27, 1944.
About 3.4% of the flight students graduating from Basic Flight Schools between December 12, 1942 and June 27, 1944 received their training at the AAFBFS at Walnut Ridge.
On September 1, 1944 the air field was transferred to the Department of the Navy and was known as the Marine Corps Air Facility, Walnut Ridge. The Marine Corps trained for only a brief time, using SBD-5’s and FG-1D Corsair’s. VMF-513 transferred to Walnut Ridge on September 14, 1944, and then moved to Mojave, California on December 4, 1944. Never a thriving place, the station newspaper referred to it as “MCAF – Outpost of Charm and Seclusion.” MCAF, Walnut Ridge was decommissioned March 15, 1945.
The Walnut Ridge Army Air Field and the MCAF, Walnut Ridge played a significant role in training WWII Pilots, and all the military and civilian personnel who worked, trained or served here can be justifiably proud of their involvement, contributions and service to their country.
In early April 1942, a Board of three Air Force Officers, Lt. Col Burton Hovey, Jr., Lt. Col. John R. Cume, Jr. and Capt. Blanton Russell took off in search of a new location. Their flight brought them over an area just northeast of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas which looked promising. Returning by car the next day, the Board looked over the site, and checked on the schools, housing, utilities and transportation.
The Board was favorably impressed with the Walnut Ridge location, and on April 15, 1942 recommended it be substituted for the Dyersburg site.
As the recommendation moved up the chain of command, planning and surveying continued for the site at Walnut Ridge. The Board’s recommendation was approved, and construction work on the Walnut Ridge Army Air Field began on June 20, 1942.
A tract of land consisting of 3096.22 acres was taken for the project. The purchase price was $305,075. There were 58 improvements, including the Moran School on the property. 45 families were living on the land.
Five Auxiliary Air Fields were constructed, located at Biggers, Beech Grove, Bono, Pocahontas and Walcott. Another 2,623.9, acres were taken for these air fields.
The construction of the WRAAF brought in a flood of workers to the area. It is reported that some 1,500 workers swarmed to the site. Residents of Walnut Ridge and Pocahontas opened their hearts and homes to the new workers. People rented out vacant rooms, garages, attics and moved the kids into mom and dad’s bedroom to accommodate the workers.
Unemployment had reached 25% and more during the height of the depression. Walnut Ridge was described as a Ghost Town – no pedestrians, no automobile traffic. No one had any money – why come to town? At one time, there were 17 empty buildings on Main Street. The new air field brought a never-before experienced prosperity to most people in Lawrence and Randolph County. Now anyone who wanted to work could get a great paying job at the air field. Folks that were once glad to get $1.00 per day were suddenly making 50 cents to $1.00 per hour, or more. They came from all over: Jonesboro, Paragould, Monette, the Ozark Foothills and southern Missouri.
The Air Field was activated on August 15, 1942, with the arrival of the initial contingent of key military personnel. Ten days later, 100 troops arrived, but there was no housing was available on the air field, so these troops were transported to and from the CCC camp, located at five-mile springs, north of Pocahontas for the first 30 days.
Even though the airfield was planned and designed as an AAFBFS, for some time it appeared it would instead become an advanced glider school. As late as September 1942, preparations were being made for gliders, including request for Instructional materials, gliders and tow planes.
Meanwhile the first 3 classes of aviation cadets programmed for Walnut Ridge were sent to Blytheville, which was being built as an Advanced Twin Engine School. Blytheville was scarcely any better prepared than Walnut Ridge. Circus Tents were utilized for operations headquarters and classrooms. The runways were not ready, so flying was done from oil coated dirt strips.
Finally, near the end of September the Southeast Training Command at Maxwell Field clarified the situation by announcing 102 cadets and 3 student officers from Decatur, Alabama and 20 cadets from Camden, Arkansas would be sent to Walnut Ridge for Basic Flight Training. For reasons unknown to us, the advanced glider program was established at Stuttgart, which was being built as an Advanced Twin Engine School.
The first Student Officers and Cadets in Class 43-B began training at Walnut Ridge at 1:00 P.M on October 12, 1942. In just under 21 months 5,310 students entered training and 4,641 graduated. 42 students, instructors and passengers were killed in training. The last class graduated on June 27, 1944.
About 3.4% of the flight students graduating from Basic Flight Schools between December 12, 1942 and June 27, 1944 received their training at the AAFBFS at Walnut Ridge.
On September 1, 1944 the air field was transferred to the Department of the Navy and was known as the Marine Corps Air Facility, Walnut Ridge. The Marine Corps trained for only a brief time, using SBD-5’s and FG-1D Corsair’s. VMF-513 transferred to Walnut Ridge on September 14, 1944, and then moved to Mojave, California on December 4, 1944. Never a thriving place, the station newspaper referred to it as “MCAF – Outpost of Charm and Seclusion.” MCAF, Walnut Ridge was decommissioned March 15, 1945.
The Walnut Ridge Army Air Field and the MCAF, Walnut Ridge played a significant role in training WWII Pilots, and all the military and civilian personnel who worked, trained or served here can be justifiably proud of their involvement, contributions and service to their country.
