During

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

, the

United States Army Air Forces The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF or AAF) was the major land-based aerial warfare service component of the United States Army and ''de facto'' aerial warfare service branch of the United States during and immediately after World War II ...

(USAAF) established numerous airfields in

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...

for training pilots and aircrews of USAAF fighters and bombers. Most of these airfields were under the command of

Fourth Air Force The Fourth Air Force (4 AF) is a numbered air force of the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC). It is headquartered at March Air Reserve Base, California. 4 AF directs the activities and supervises the training of more than 30,000 Air Force Res ...

or the

Army Air Forces Training Command The United States Army Air Forces during World War II had major subordinate Commands below the Air Staff level. These Commands were organized along functional missions. One such Command was the Flying Training Command (FTC). It began as Air Corp ...

(AAFTC). However,

Air Technical Service Command The atmosphere of Earth is the layer of gases, known collectively as air, retained by Earth's gravity that surrounds the planet and forms its planetary atmosphere. The atmosphere of Earth protects life on Earth by creating pressure allowing for ...

(ATSC),

Air Transport Command Air Transport Command (ATC) was a United States Air Force unit that was created during World War II as the strategic airlift component of the United States Army Air Forces. It had two main missions, the first being the delivery of supplies ...

(ATC) and

I Troop Carrier Command The I Troop Carrier Command is a disbanded United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Continental Air Forces, at Stout Field, Indiana, where it was disbanded in November 1945, and its resources transferred to IX Troop Carrier Co ...

used a significant number of airfields in a support role. A significant number of them had operational squadrons for air defense of the Pacific coastline and anti-submarine patrols, and one was even handed over to

Civil Air Patrol Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a congressionally chartered, federally supported non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded mem ...

pilots for their use. In addition to the major fields, dozens of minor auxiliary fields and airstrips were built, generally to provide more room for basic flight training, but also to support other operations. A few of these were designed as "fallback fields" for launching defensive operations in case of a Japanese invasion. Most Army airfields were built with three runways in a triangle, with parking ramp areas adjacent to one runway. This triangular configuration allowed rapid construction, without regard to the direction of the prevailing winds. Navy fields were generally built with two runways in a cross, with a third runway intersecting the other two at an angle. There were, of course, other designs, including single-runway fields. Most noteworthy were "landing mats," large concrete squares, hexagons and circles, which allowed takeoffs and landings in any direction. Following the war, many bases and auxiliary fields were given to local governments or returned to service as municipal airports. Often, budget constraints caused the new owners to close or even remove the "extra" runways, retaining only those that faced into the prevailing winds. In at least one case (Orland), large portions of a landing mat were removed, leaving a conventional runway and ramp. Several fields were retained as

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Si ...

installations and were front-line bases during the

Cold War The Cold War is a term commonly used to refer to a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, the Western Bloc and the Eastern Bloc. The term '' cold war'' is used because t ...

, or used for experimental aviation, the most notable of these being

Edwards Air Force Base Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) is a United States Air Force installation in California. Most of the base sits in Kern County, but its eastern end is in San Bernardino County and a southern arm is in Los Angeles County. The hub of the base is ...

. A few were sold or given back to private owners, generally to be returned to agricultural use, while a handful have become private airports. A number of fields were simply abandoned, due to their remote locations, and the remains of these can still be found, especially in the

Mojave Desert The Mojave Desert ( ; mov, Hayikwiir Mat'aar; es, Desierto de Mojave) is a desert in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountains in the Southwestern United States. It is named for the indigenous Mojave people. It is located primarily ...

Major airfields

Fourth Air Force

The mission of Fourth Air Force was the air defense of the West Coast, operating two air defense wings in California (Los Angeles and San Francisco). It also provided operational training of newly formed groups and squadrons in combat aircraft prior to their deployment to overseas combat theaters. After April 1944, operational training was changed to replacement training of newly commissioned pilots in combat fighters from the AAF Training Command advanced flying schools. *

Chandler Municipal Airport Chandler Municipal Airport is in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, southeast of Chandler, which owns it. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015 categorized it as a general aviation '' reliever airport''. Chand ...

, west of

Fresno Fresno () is a major city in the San Joaquin Valley of California, United States. It is the county seat of Fresno County and the largest city in the greater Central Valley region. It covers about and had a population of 542,107 in 2020, maki ...

: Briefly used in 1941 While

Hammer Army Airfield Fresno Yosemite International Airport is a joint military/public airport in Fresno, California, United States. It is the primary commercial airport for the San Joaquin Valley and three national parks: Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon. It o ...

under construction : Now:

Fresno Chandler Executive Airport Fresno Chandler Executive Airport is a public use airport west of the central business district of Fresno, California, United States. It is owned by the City of Fresno and managed by the city’s Airports Division. Chandler Airport opened in N ...

Chico Army Airfield Chico Regional Airport , formerly known as Chico Municipal Airport, is north of Chico, in Butte County, California, United States. The airport covers , has two runways and one helipad. Its fixed-base operator, Northgate Aviation provides fuel, ...

, north of Chico : Army Air Forces Basic Flying School / Army Air Force Pilot School, Basic, 24 March 1942–25 April 1944 : 10th Base Headquarters an Air Base Squadron, 12 July 1942–25 April 1944 : 433rd Army Air Force Base Unit (Combat Crew Training Station, Fighter), 25 April 1944–31 October 1945 : Now:

Chico Municipal Airport Chico Regional Airport is north of Chico, in Butte County, California, United States. The airport covers , has two runways and one helipad. Its fixed-base operator, Northgate Aviation provides fuel, maintenance, flight training, and charter fl ...

: Known sub-bases and auxiliaries :: Orland Auxiliary Field :: Kirkwood Auxiliary Field :: Vina Auxiliary Field ::

Campbell Auxiliary Field Chico Army Airfield auxiliary fields were a number of airfields used during World War II to support the Chico Army Airfield. On September 11, 1941, the US Army rented from the City of Chico a small 1930's airport that sat on of land. The Airfi ...

:: Oroville Auxiliary Field :: Sacramento Municipal Airport :: Oroville Army Airfield :: Siskiyou County Army Airfield :: Redding Army Airfield * Daggett Municipal Airport, Daggett : Now:

Barstow-Daggett Airport Barstow-Daggett Airport is a county-owned public airport in San Bernardino County, California, United States. It is five miles (7 km) east of Daggett and 14 miles east of Barstow. Built in 1933, it is the oldest of the six airports opera ...

Hamilton Army Airfield Hamilton Field (Hamilton AFB) was a United States Air Force base, which was inactivated in 1973, decommissioned in 1974, and put into a caretaker status with the Air Force Reserves until 1976. It was transferred to the United States Army in 1983 ...

, , Novato, north of San Rafael : Air Base Squadron, 45th Air Base Group / 46th Air Base Squadron/ 46th Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron, 25 August 1940–1 April 1944 : 460th Army Air Force Base Unit (Base Services, Air Transport Command), 1 April 1944–8 May 1946 : Hq, West Coast Wing, Air Transport Command, 1 August 1944–4 December 1945 : Was:

Hamilton Air Force Base Hamilton may refer to: People * Hamilton (name), a common British surname and occasional given name, usually of Scottish origin, including a list of persons with the surname ** The Duke of Hamilton, the premier peer of Scotland ** Lord Hamilt ...

(1947–1976) : Now: Part of the

Hamilton Wetland Restoration Project The Hamilton Wetland Restoration Project, now known as the Hamilton/Bel Marin Keys Wetlands Restoration, is a wetlands habitat restoration project at the former Hamilton Air Force Base—Hamilton Army Airfield (1930−1988) site and adjacent Bel ...

: Known sub-bases and auxiliaries :: Montague Air Force Auxiliary Field :: Napa Army Airfield :: Willows Municipal Airport :: Redding Army Airfield :: Siskiyou County Army Airfield *

, northeast of

: Joint Use with United States Navy (NATS) : 50th Air Base Squadron / 50th Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron, 2 August 1941–31 March 1944 : 450th Army Air Force Base Unit (Combat Crew Training Station, Night Fighter), 1 April 1944–15 March 1946 : Now: Roundel of the USAF

Fresno Air National Guard Base Fresno () is a major city in the San Joaquin Valley of California, United States. It is the county seat of Fresno County and the largest city in the greater Central Valley region. It covers about and had a population of 542,107 in 2020, mak ...

: Known sub-bases and auxiliaries ::

Salinas Army Air Base Salinas Municipal Airport is an airport in Monterey County, California, United States, three miles (4.8 km) southeast of Downtown Salinas. It is included in the 2017–21 National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems as a regional general ...

:: Delano Army Airfield :: Meadows Field ::

Visalia Army Airfield Visalia Municipal Airport is five miles west of downtown Visalia, in Tulare County, California, United States. The airport is eligible for the Essential Air Service program, but has no scheduled air service, and is not eligible to request fund ...

:: Hayward Army Airfield *

Lemoore Army Airfield Lemoore Army Air Field, located nine miles (14 km) southwest of Lemoore, California, was a dirt air field usable only in dry weather. It nevertheless was used by the AAF Western Flying Training Command as a processing and training field. ...

, southwest of

Lemoore Lemoore (formerly, La Tache and Lee Moore's) is a city in Kings County, California, United States. Lemoore is located west-southwest of Hanford, at an elevation of . It is part of the Hanford-Corcoran Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA Code ...

: Air Corps Basic Flying School / AAF Basic Flying School / AAF Pilot School, Basic; 30 November 1941–1 June 1944 : 88th Air Base Squadron / 88th Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron; 12 December 1941–30 April 1944 : 3023rd Army Air Force Base Unit (Pilot School, Basic); 1 May 1944–1 June 1944 : 461st Army Air Force Base Unit (Processing In); 1 June 1944–10 November 1945 : Now: non-flying agricultural use. : Known sub-bases and auxiliaries ::

Boston Field Helm Field also called Lemoore Auxiliary Army Airfield A-7 is a former US Army Airfield use for training during World War II. Helm Field was location in the town of Coalinga, California, 70 miles south of Fresno. Helm Field had two 3,000 foot runw ...

Huron Field Helm Field also called Lemoore Auxiliary Army Airfield A-7 is a former US Army Airfield use for training during World War II. Helm Field was location in the town of Coalinga, California, 70 miles south of Fresno. Helm Field had two 3,000 foot run ...

Indian Field Helm Field also called Lemoore Auxiliary Army Airfield A-7 is a former US Army Airfield use for training during World War II. Helm Field was location in the town of Coalinga, California, 70 miles south of Fresno. Helm Field had two 3,000 foot ru ...

Murray Field Murray Field is a county-owned public airport, located adjacent to Humboldt Bay within Eureka, California in Humboldt County. Most of its use is general aviation, but UPS flights stop for package delivery. History Murray Field was established ...

West Field Helm Field also called Lemoore Auxiliary Army Airfield A-7 is a former US Army Airfield use for training during World War II. Helm Field was location in the town of Coalinga, California, 70 miles south of Fresno. Helm Field had two 3,000 foot ru ...

:: Summit Lake Field (Now

NAS Lemoore Naval Air Station Lemoore or NAS Lemoore is a United States Navy base, located in Kings County and Fresno County, California, United States. Lemoore Station, a census-designated place, is located inside the base's borders. NAS Lemoore is the Na ...

) ::

Helm Field Helm Field also called Lemoore Auxiliary Army Airfield A-7 is a former US Army Airfield use for training during World War II. Helm Field was location in the town of Coalinga, California, 70 miles south of Fresno. Helm Field had two 3,000 foot runw ...

:: Corcoran Municipal Airport ::

Porterville Army Airfield Porterville Municipal Airport is a city-owned public-use airport located three nautical miles (6 km) southwest of the central business district of Porterville, a city in Tulare County, California, United States. According to the FAA's National ...

Coalinga Municipal Airport (Old) Coalinga Municipal Airport (Old) is a closed airport located 1 mile north of Coalinga, California. The airport was closed approximately 2000, all aviation use was moved to the New Coalinga Municipal Airport. History It was established sometim ...

March Army Airfield March Air Reserve Base (March ARB), previously known as March Air Force Base (March AFB) is located in Riverside County, California between the cities of Riverside, Moreno Valley, and Perris. It is the home to the Air Force Reserve Command's ...

, southeast of Riverside : Base Headquarters and 4th Air Base Squadron; 1 September 1936–1 September 1940 : 4th Air Base Group; 1 September 1940–15 January 1941 : Air Base Squadron, 32nd Air Base Group / 31st Air Base Squadron / 31st Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron; 15 January 1941–31 March 1944 : 420th Army Air Force Base Unit (Combat Crew Training Station, Heavy Bombardment); 1 April 1944–31 March 1946 : Was:

March Air Force Base March Air Reserve Base (March ARB), previously known as March Air Force Base (March AFB) is located in Riverside County, California between the cities of Riverside, Moreno Valley, and Perris. It is the home to the Air Force Reserve Command's ...

(1947–1993) : Now: Roundel of the USAF

March Air Reserve Base March Air Reserve Base (March ARB), previously known as March Air Force Base (March AFB) is located in Riverside County, California between the cities of Riverside, Moreno Valley, and Perris. It is the home to the Air Force Reserve Command's ...

: Known sub-bases and auxiliaries :: Buffalo Springs Airport ::

Needles Army Airfield Needles Airport is a county-owned public airport in San Bernardino County, California, United States, five miles (9 km) south of Needles. It opened in May 1941. During World War II the airfield was known as Needles Army Airfield at coord ...

:: Shavers Summit Army Airfield *

Marysville Army Airfield Yuba County Airport (; ) is in Yuba County, California, United States, three miles southeast of Marysville. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015 categorized it as a ''general aviation'' facility. History The Civil ...

, south of Marysville. : Now:

Yuba County Airport Yuba County Airport (; ) is in Yuba County, California, United States, three miles southeast of Marysville. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015 categorized it as a ''general aviation'' facility. History The Civil ...

Muroc Army Airfield Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) is a United States Air Force installation in California. Most of the base sits in Kern County, but its eastern end is in San Bernardino County and a southern arm is in Los Angeles County. The hub of the base is Ed ...

, southeast of Mojave : 323rd Air Base Sq / 323rd Base Headquarters and Air Base Sq; 1 May 1942–31 March 1944 : 421st Army Air Force Base Unit (Combat Crew Training Station, Heavy Bombardment); 1 April 1944–16 October 1945 : Now: Roundel of the USAF

: Known sub-bases and auxiliaries ::

Bishop Army Airfield Eastern Sierra Regional Airport is two miles east of Bishop, in Inyo County, California, United States. It is owned by the City of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works and operated by Inyo County. Facilities The airport covers at an elev ...

:: Blythe Army Airfield ::

Palmdale Army Airfield Palmdale is a city in northern Los Angeles County in the U.S. state of California. The city lies in the Antelope Valley region of Southern California. The San Gabriel Mountains separate Palmdale from the Los Angeles Basin to the south. On Aug ...

:: Desert Center Army Airfield ::

Gary Army Airfield W. R. Byron Airport is a privately owned, private use airport in Riverside County, California, United States. It is located four nautical miles (5 mi, 7 km) northwest of the central business district of Blythe, California, with ...

Rice Army Airfield Rice Army Air Field (also known as Rice Air Base or Rice AAF) is an abandoned World War II airfield in Rice Valley of the southern Mojave Desert, located east-southeast of the community of Rice. The airfield is located in Riverside County just ...

Muroc Flight Test Base Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) is a United States Air Force installation in California. Most of the base sits in Kern County, but its eastern end is in San Bernardino County and a southern arm is in Los Angeles County. The hub of the base is Edw ...

Ontario Army Airfield Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Cana ...

, east of

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

: 311th Army Air Force Base Unit : Now:

LA/Ontario International Airport Ontario International Airport is an international airport two miles east of downtown Ontario, in San Bernardino County, California, United States, about east of downtown Los Angeles and west of downtown San Bernardino. It is owned and operat ...

, southeast of Salinas : 301st Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron : Also used by

: Now:

Salinas Municipal Airport Salinas Municipal Airport is an airport in Monterey County, California, Monterey County, California, United States, three miles (4.8 km) southeast of Downtown Salinas, California, Salinas. It is included in the 2017–21 National Plan of I ...

: Known sub-bases and auxiliaries ::

Half Moon Bay Flight Strip Eddie Andreini Sr. Airfield, officially Half Moon Bay Airport is a public airport in San Mateo County, northwest of Half Moon Bay, California, United States. The airport is on the Pacific Coast, south of San Francisco. History The Half Moon ...

Santa Maria Army Airfield Santa Maria Public Airport (Capt. G. Allan Hancock Field) is three miles (5 km) south of Santa Maria, in northern Santa Barbara County, California, United States. History The airport was built by the United States Army during World War ...

, Santa Maria : 483d Army Air Force Base Unit : Now:

Santa Maria Public Airport Santa Maria Public Airport (Capt. G. Allan Hancock Field) is three miles (5 km) south of Santa Maria, in northern Santa Barbara County, California, United States. History The airport was built by the United States Army during World War ...

: Known sub-bases and auxiliaries ::

Estrella Army Airfield Paso Robles Municipal Airport is four miles (6 km) northeast of downtown Paso Robles, in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States. Facilities The airport covers 1,300 acres (5.3 km²) and has two runways and one helipad: * 1 ...

Santa Rosa Army Airfield Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring children gifts during the late evening and overnigh ...

, northwest of

Santa Rosa Santa Rosa is the Italian, Portuguese and Spanish name for Saint Rose. Santa Rosa may also refer to: Places Argentina *Santa Rosa, Mendoza, a city * Santa Rosa, Tinogasta, Catamarca * Santa Rosa, Valle Viejo, Catamarca * Santa Rosa, La Pampa * S ...

: 493d Army Air Force Base Unit : Now:

Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English and French speaking countries. It is from the French form ''Charles'' of the Proto-Germanic name (in runic alphabet) or ''*karilaz'' (in Latin alphabet), whose meaning was "f ...

Thermal Army Airfield Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport is a county-owned, public-use airport in Riverside County, California, United States. It is located in the southeastern Coachella Valley, 20 nautical miles (23 mi, 37 km) southeast of the ...

, southwest of

Thermal A thermal column (or thermal) is a rising mass of buoyant air, a convective current in the atmosphere, that transfers heat energy vertically. Thermals are created by the uneven heating of Earth's surface from solar radiation, and are an example ...

: Joint Use with

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

: VI Air Support Command (AGF) : 475th Army Air Force Base Unit : Now:

Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport is a county-owned, public-use airport in Riverside County, California, United States. It is located in the southeastern Coachella Valley, 20 nautical miles (23 mile, mi, 37 kilometre, km) southe ...

* Van Nuys Army Airfield,

Van Nuys Van Nuys () is a neighborhood in the central San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California. Home to Van Nuys Airport and the Valley Municipal Building, it is the most populous neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley. History In 1909, t ...

: 505th Army Air Force Base Unit : Was:

Van Nuys Air National Guard Base : ''For the United States Air Force use of the airport (1942–1990), see Van Nuys Air National Guard Base'' Van Nuys Airport is a public airport in the Van Nuys neighborhood of the City of Los Angeles. The airport is operated by Los Angeles ...

(1946–1990) : Now:

Van Nuys Airport : ''For the United States Air Force use of the airport (1942–1990), see Van Nuys Air National Guard Base'' Van Nuys Airport is a public airport in the Van Nuys neighborhood of the City of Los Angeles. The airport is operated by Los Angeles ...

: Known sub-bases and auxiliaries ::

Grand Central Air Terminal Grand Central Airport is a former airport in Glendale, California. Also known as Grand Central Air Terminal (GCAT), the airport was an important facility for the growing Los Angeles suburb of Glendale in the 1920s and a key element in the devel ...

Oxnard Flight Strip Camarillo Airport is a public airport located three miles (5 km) west of the central business district of Camarillo, a city in Ventura County, California, United States. The airport has one runway and serves privately operated general av ...

::: Was:

Oxnard Air Force Base Oxnard Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base, located in the city of Camarillo, California. History Camarillo Airport was originally established in 1942 when the California State Highway Department constructed an auxiliary la ...

(1951–1970) ::: Now: Camarillo Airport

AAF Training Command

Training Command airfields in California provided Primary, Basic and Advanced (both single and multi-engine) pilot training under the Army Air Force Flying Training Command. Mather AAF provided Navigator Training. Training Command also provided technical aircraft support training to both enlisted and officer personnel at aircraft delivery fields, operated by manufacturers such as North American, Douglas, Northrup, Lockheed and Consolidated Aircraft. Santa Ana AAB provided basic indoctrination training to new enlisted personnel and also pilot qualification screening for prospective air cadets. *

Gardner Army Airfield Gardner Army Airfield is a former United States Army Air Force World War II Field located 9 miles southeast of Taft, California. It was named for Major John H. Gardner, a World War I aviator hero. Gardner AAF is historically significant a ...

, southeast of Taft : 63d Army Air Force Base Unit : Now: Agricultural Use : Known sub-bases and auxiliaries ::

Parker Auxiliary Airfield Gardner Army Airfield auxiliary fields were a number of airfields used during World War II to support the Gardner Army Airfield. May 12, 1943 the US Army leased 1,396.36 acres for Gardner Field, located 9 miles southeast of Taft, California. Gardn ...

:: Kern Field Auxiliary Airfield :: Allen Auxiliary Airfield :: Conners Auxiliary Airfield :: Taft Auxiliary Airfield :: Cuyama Auxiliary Airfield *

Mather Army Airfield Mather Air Force Base (Mather AFB) was a United States Air Force Base, which was closed in 1993 pursuant to a post- Cold War BRAC decision. It was located east of Sacramento, on the south side of U.S. Route 50 in Sacramento County, Califor ...

, east of

Sacramento ) , image_map = Sacramento County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Sacramento Highlighted.svg , mapsize = 250x200px , map_caption = Location within Sacramento ...

: 67th Army Air Force Base Unit : Also used by:

: Was: Mather Air Force Base (1947–1993) : Now: Sacramento Mather Airport
: Known sub-bases and auxiliaries :: Concord Army Airfield :: Franklin Auxiliary Airfield :: Lincoln Auxiliary Airfield :: Winter-Davis Flight Strip :: Elk Grove Auxiliary Airfield * Victorville Army Airfield, northwest of Victorville, California, Victorville : 87th Army Air Force Base Unit : Was: George Air Force Base (1947–1992) : Now: Southern California Logistics Airport
: Known sub-bases and auxiliaries :: Hawes Auxiliary Airfield :: Helendale Auxiliary Airfield :: Mirage Auxiliary Airfield :: Grey Butte Auxiliary Airfield * Santa Ana Army Air Base, south of Santa Ana, California, Santa Ana : 414th Army Air Force Base Unit : Known sub-bases and auxiliaries :: Orange County Army Airfield :: Now: John Wayne Airport
* Minter Field Army Airfield, northwest of Bakersfield, California, Bakersfield : 64th Army Air Force Base Unit : Now: Shafter Airport, Shafter-Minter Field Airport
: Known sub-bases and auxiliaries :: Wasco Auxiliary Airfield :: Pond Auxiliary Field :: Famoso Auxiliary Airfield :: Dunlap Auxiliary Airfield :: Semi-tropic Auxiliary Airfield :: Poso Auxiliary Airfield :: Lost Hills Auxiliary Airfield ::

* Stockton Army Airfield, south of Stockton, California, Stockton : 60th Army Air Force Base Unit : Also used by:

: Now: Stockton Metropolitan Airport
: Known sub-bases and auxiliaries :: Kingsbury Auxiliary Airfield :: New Jerusalem Auxiliary Airfield :: Modesto Auxiliary Airfield :: Tracy Auxiliary Airfield :: Franklin Auxiliary Airfield * Merced Army Airfield, northwest of Merced, California, Merced : HQ Continental Air Forces : 90th Army Air Force Base Unit : Was: Castle Air Force Base (1947–1995) : Now: Castle Airport : Known sub-bases and Merced Army Airfield auxiliary fields, auxiliaries :: Merced Municipal Airport Auxiliary Field :: Ballico Auxiliary Field :: Howard Auxiliary Field :: Athlone Auxiliary Field :: Potter Auxiliary Field :: Merced New Municipal Airport Auxiliary Field :: Mariposa Auxiliary Field

AAF contract flying schools

Private flying schools operated under contract by Flying Training Command, providing primary pilot training to new air cadets. Although training was provided by civilian contractors and instruction was provided by civilian instructors, the schools were commanded by military personnel and were operated as a military base. These schools operated from early 1942 until being phased out in mid-1944. Graduates then advanced to regular Training Command flight schools for Basic and Advanced training. * Eagle Field (airport), Eagle Field, southeast of Dos Palos, California, Dos Palos : : Operated by: Coast Aviation Corporation : Known sub-bases and auxiliaries :: Hammond Auxiliary Field :: Vail Auxiliary Field :: Dos Palos Emergency Field :: Canal Field Auxiliary Field :: Mason Auxiliary Field * Gary Field, northwest of Blythe, California, Blythe : Operated by: Morton Air Academy : Now: W R Byron Airport (Private) : Known sub-bases and auxiliaries :: Ripley Auxiliary Field#1 :: Ripley Auxiliary Field#2 * Hancock Field (California), Hancock Field, east-southeast of Santa Maria : Operated by: Allen Hancock College of Aeronautics : Now: Closed about 1959, now Allan Hancock College : Known sub-bases and auxiliaries :: Santa Maria Auxiliary Field :: La Brea Auxiliary Field :: Mckinnon Auxiliary Field :: Souza Auxiliary Field :: Waller-Franklin Auxiliary Field * Lone Pine Airport, southeast of Lone Pine, California, Lone Pine : : Operated by: Undetermined : Known sub-bases and auxiliaries :: Adamson Landing Field :: Independence Auxiliary Field :: Inyo County Auxiliary Field * Mesa Del Rey Airport, King City Airport, southeast of King City, California, King City : Operated by: Undetermined : Now: Mesa Del Rey Airport : Known sub-bases and auxiliaries :: Benard Auxiliary Field :: Hanson Auxiliary Field :: Sorenson Auxiliary Field :: Trescony Auxiliary Field * McChesney Field, southeast of San Luis Obispo, California, San Luis Obispo : Operated by: Undetermined : Now: San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport * Rankin Field, southeast of Tulare, California, Tulare : Operated by: Rankin Aeronauticial Academy, Inc. : Now: Agricultural use : Known sub-bases and auxiliaries :: Hunter Auxiliary Field :: Tipton Auxiliary Field :: Strathmore Auxiliary Field :: Tulare Airport :: Trauger Auxiliary Field * Hemet-Ryan Airport, Ryan Field, southest of Hemet, California, Hemet : Operated by: Ryan School of Aeronautics : Now: Hemet-Ryan Airport : Known sub-bases and auxiliaries :: Banning Auxiliary Field :: Highland Auxiliary Field :: Ryan Auxiliary Field#1 :: Ryan Auxiliary Field#2 :: Ryan Auxiliary Field#3 :: Valle Vista Auxiliary Field :: Gibbs Auxiliary Field * Sequoia Field, north of Visalia, California, Visalia : : Operated by: Visalia-Dinuba School of Aeronautics : Known sub-bases and auxiliaries :: Three Rivers Auxiliary Field * Ventura County Army Airfield, west of Oxnard, California, Oxnard : Operated by: Mira Loma Flight Academy : Also used by

as a NAAS to NAS San Diego : Now: Oxnard Airport, * War Eagle Field, west of Lancaster, California, Lancaster : Operated by: Polaris Flight Academy : Now: Detention Facility : Known sub-bases and auxiliaries :: Liberty Auxiliary Field :: Victory Field Auxiliary Field

Air Transport Command

Airfields were used for transport of personnel, supplies and equipment. Also for ferrying replacement aircraft to overseas units (Primarily Pacific Theater and Alaska). * Fairfield-Suisun Army Airfield, southeast of Fairfield, California, Fairfield. : Station #10, Air Transport Command, Pacific Wing : 1504th Army Air Forces Base Unit : Now: Roundel of the USAF

Travis Air Force Base * Oakland Municipal Airport, northeast of Oakland, California, Oakland : 20th Ferrying Group : 507th Army Air Force Base Unit : Now: Oakland International Airport * Reno Army Air Base Auxiliary Flight Strip, north of Truckee, California, Truckee. : Emergency landing field for Reno Army Air Base, Nevada (ATC) : Later: Amedee Army Airfield * Palm Springs Army Airfield, east of Palm Springs, California, Palm Springs. : 21st Ferrying Group : 459th Army Air Force Base Unit : Also used by the

(Ferrying Service) : Now: Palm Springs International Airport * San Francisco Municipal Airport, southeast of San Francisco, California, San Francisco : Port of Embarkation : San Francisco Fighter Wing (4th Air Force) : Now: San Francisco International Airport : Also: Roundel of the USAF

Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco

Technical Service Command

Provided aircraft modification prior to overseas deployment and also depot-level repair and maintenance services. Technical Service Command also operated acceptance centers for newly manufactured aircraft in Southern California, then ATC Ferrying Command transferred the new aircraft to various airfields or modification centers prior to deployment to operational units. * McClellan Army Airfield, northeast of

Sacramento ) , image_map = Sacramento County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Sacramento Highlighted.svg , mapsize = 250x200px , map_caption = Location within Sacramento ...

: 4895th Army Air Force Base Unit : Sacramento Air Depot : Was: McClellan Air Force Base (1947–2001) : Now: McClellan Airfield : Also: Roundel of the USAF

Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento :: Winter-Davis Flight Strip :: Redding Army Airfield * San Bernardino Army Airfield, southeast of San Bernardino : 499th Army Air Force Base Unit : San Bernardino Air Depot : Was: Norton Air Force Base (1947–1994) : Now: San Bernardino International Airport : Known sub-bases and auxiliaries :: Desert Center Army Airfield ::

:: Gibbs Auxiliary Field :: Peik Auxiliary Field * Santa Monica Airport, Clover Field (Santa Monica Municipal Airport), east of Santa Monica, California, Santa Monica : Delivery airport for Douglas Aircraft (A-20, B-18, C-47) : Delivery airport for Vultee Aircraft (BT-13) : Now: Santa Monica Airport * Hawthorne Municipal Airport (California), Hawthorne Municipal Airport, east of Hawthorne, California, Hawthorne : Joint Use:

: Delivery airport for Northrop Aircraft (P-61) : Also used by Technical Training Command : Now: Hawthorne Municipal Airport (California), Jack Northrop Field/Hawthorne Municipal Airport * Lindbergh Field, Lindbergh Field (San Diego Municipal Airport), northof San Diego, California, San Diego. : Delivery airport for Consolidated Aircraft (PBY, B-24) : Now: San Diego International Airport : Also: Roundel of the USAF

Coast Guard Air Station San Diego : Known sub-bases and auxiliaries :: Gibbs Auxiliary Field :: Peik Auxiliary Field * Lockheed Air Terminal, west-northwest of Burbank, California, Burbank. : Delivery airport for Lockheed Aircraft (P-38, B-17, PV-2, C-69) : Also used by Technical Training Command : Now: Bob Hope Airport * Long Beach Army Airfield, northeast of Long Beach, California, Long Beach : 6th Ferrying Group (Air Transport Command) : Delivery airport for Douglas Aircraft (B-17, A-26, C-47) : 348th Army Air Force Base Unit : Now: Long Beach Airport * Lomita Flight Strip, southwest of Downtown Torrance, California, Torrance : Now: Zamperini Field * Los Angeles International Airport, Mines Field (Los Angeles Municipal Airport), southwest of Los Angeles, California, Los Angeles. : Delivery airport for North American Aviation (AT-6, P-51, B-25) : Delivery airport for Douglas Aircraft (SBD Dauntless) : Aerial Port of Embarkation (

) : Los Angeles Fighter Wing (4th Air Force) : Also used by Technical Training Command : Now: Los Angeles International Airport : Also: Roundel of the USAF

Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles * Santa Monica Municipal Airport, Santa Monica, California, Santa Monica, east of Santa Monica, California, Santa Monica. : Delivery airfield for Douglas Aircraft (C-54) : Now: Santa Monica Municipal Airport

Known secondary facilities

* Furnace Creek Emergency Landing Field, west of Furnace Creek, California, Furnace Creek (Army and Navy use) * San Jose Municipal Airport, northwest of San Jose, California, San Jose (Civil Air Patrol)

Desert Training Center

Desert Training Center's California Army Airfields built to support General Patton's many desert training camps. Patton's HQ was at Camp Young.militarymuseum.org Desert Training Center
/ref> * Major airfields ** Blythe Airport, Blythe Army Air Base ** Desert Center Airport (California), Desert Center Army Airfield ** Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, Thermal Army Airfield **

** Shavers Summit Army Airfield (now Chiriaco Summit Airport) * Minor airfields ** Camp Coxcomb Army Field (abandoned) ** Camp Essex Army Field (abandoned) ** Camp Goffs Army Field (abandoned) ** Camp Ibis Army Field (abandoned) ** Camp Iron Mountain Army Field

References

* Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. . * Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947–1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. . * Thole, Lou (1999), ''Forgotten Fields of America : World War II Bases and Training, Then and Now''. Vol. 2. Pictorial Histories Pub.
Military Airfields in World War II – California
* {{DEFAULTSORT:California World War Ii Army Airfields Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in California, Defunct airports in California, World War II Army Airfields 1940s in California, World War II Army Airfields California history-related lists, World War II Army Airfields

Major airfields

Fourth Air Force

AAF Training Command

AAF contract flying schools

Air Transport Command

Technical Service Command

Known secondary facilities

Desert Training Center

See also

References