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This Douglas O-46 bears the Spearhead insignia of Wilbur Wright Field (1931-1942) on its fuselage.

Key Information

Wilbur Wright Field was a military installation and an airfield used as a World War I pilot, mechanic, and armorer training facility, and under different designations, conducted United States Army Air Corps and Air Forces flight testing. Located near Riverside, Ohio, the site is officially "Area B" of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base[citation needed] and includes the National Museum of the United States Air Force built on the airfield.

History

[edit]

World War I

[edit]

Wilbur Wright Field was established in 1917[1] for World War I on 2,075 acres (840 ha) of land adjacent to the Mad River which included the 1910 Wright Brothers' Huffman Prairie Flying Field and that was leased to the Army by the Miami Conservancy District.[2] Logistics support to Wilbur Wright Field was by the adjacent Fairfield Aviation General Supply Depot established in January 1918[3]: 7  and which also supplied three[specify] other Midwest Signal Corps aviation schools.[2] A Signal Corps Aviation School began in June 1917 for providing combat pilots to the Western Front in France, and the field housed an aviation mechanic's school and an armorer's school.[2] On 19 June 1918, Lt. Frank Stuart Patterson at the airfield was testing machine gun/propeller synchronization when a tie rod failure broke the wings off his Airco DH.4M while diving from 15,000 ft (4,600 m).[4][failed verification] Also in 1918, McCook Field near Dayton between Keowee Street and the Great Miami River began using space and mechanics at Wilbur Wright Field.[citation needed] Following World War I, the training school[which?] at Wilbur Wright Field was discontinued.[2]

Training units assigned to Wilbur Wright Field[5]

  • 42d Aero Squadron, August 1917
Redesignated Squadron "I"; October 1918-February 1919
  • 44th Aero Squadron, August 1917
Redesignated Squadron "K"; October 1918
Redesignated Squadron "P"; November 1918-April 1919
  • 231st Aero Squadron (II), April 1918
Redesignated Squadron "A", July–December 1918; Assigned to Armorers' School
  • 246th Aero Squadron (II), May 1918
Redesignated Squadron "L", October 1918-February 1919
  • 342d Aero Squadron, August 1918
Redesignated Squadron "M" October 1918
Redesignated Squadron "Q" November 1918-April 1919
  • 507th Aero Squadron, July 1918-April 1919
  • 512th Aero Squadron (Supply), July 1918-April 1919
  • 669th Aero Squadron (Supply), May 1918-April 1919
  • 678th Aero Squadron (Supply), February 1918-April 1919
  • 851st Aero Squadron, March 1918
Re-designated Squadron "B" July 1918-April 1919

Combat units trained at Wilbur Wright Field[5]

Service units trained at Wilbur Wright Field[5]

  • 19th Aero Squadron, July–November 1917; Deployed to American Expeditionary Forces
  • 151st Aero Squadron, December 1917-February 1918; deployed to AEF
  • 211th Aero Squadron, December 1917-February 1918; deployed to AEF
  • 255th Aero Squadron, March–June 1918; deployed to AEF
  • 256th Aero Squadron; March–June 1918; deployed to AEF
  • 257th Aero Squadron; March–June 1918; deployed to AEF
  • 258th Aero Squadron; March–June 1918; deployed to AEF
  • 259th Aero Squadron; March–July 1918; deployed to AEF
  • 260th Aero Squadron; March–July 1918; deployed to AEF
  • 265th Aero Squadron; March–July 1918; deployed to AEF
  • 287th Aero Squadron, May–July 1918; transferred to Chanute Field, Illinois
  • 288th Aero Squadron, May–July 1918; transferred to Chanute Field, Illinois
  • 827th Aero Squadron (Repair), February–March 1918; deployed to AEF

 

  • Construction in progress at Wilbur Wright Field (June 9, 1917)
    Construction in progress at Wilbur Wright Field (June 9, 1917)

Interwar years

[edit]

The 1923 records for speed, distance, and endurance were set by an April 16 Fokker T-2 flight from Wilbur Wright Field, which used a 50 km (31 mi) course around the water tower, the McCook Field water tower, and a pylon placed at New Carlisle.[6] In June 1923, an Air Service TC-1 airship "was wrecked in a storm at Wilbur Wright Field"[7] and by 1924, the field had "an interlock system" radio beacon using Morse code command guidance (dash-dot "N" for port, dot-dash "A" for starboard) illuminating instrument board lights.[3]: 155  The Field Service Section at Wilbur Wright Field merged with McCook's Engineering Division to form the Materiel Division on 15 October 1926 ("moved to Wright Field when McCook Field closed in 1927").[8] The Air Service's "control station for the model airway"—which scheduled military flights of the Airways Section—moved to Wilbur Wright Field from McCook Field in the late 1920s (originally "at Bolling Field until 1925").[3]

Redesignations

[edit]

The Fairfield Air Depot formed when the leased area of Wilbur Wright Field and the Army-owned land of the Fairfield Aviation General Supply Depot merged soon after World War I.[specify] For an aerial war game of 1929, "Fairfield" was the headquarters of the Blue air force; a Blue "airdrome north of Dayton at Troy" was strafed on May 16 ("a raid on the airdrome at Fairfield" was later expected), "Dayton" was the May 21 takeoff site for a round-trip bomber attack on New York, and "target areas at Fairfield" were used for live bombing on May 25.[3]: 242–5  A provisional division was "assembled at Dayton" on May 16, 1931, for maneuvers in which "Maj. Henry H. Arnold, division G-4 (Supply), had stocks at Pittsburgh; Cleveland; Buffalo; Middletown, Pennsylvania; Aberdeen, Maryland; and Bolling Field to service units as they flew eastward."[3]: 236  The depot remained active until 1946.[2]

Wright Field

[edit]

In 1924, the city of Dayton purchased 4,500 acres (1,821 ha), the portion of Fairfield Air Depot leased in 1917 for Wilbur Wright Field, along with an additional 750 acres (300 ha) in Montgomery County to the southwest (now part of Riverside). The combined area[clarification needed] was named Wright Field to honor both Wright Brothers.[need quotation to verify] A new installation with permanent brick facilities was constructed to replace McCook Field and was dedicated on October 12, 1927. The transfer of 4,500 tons of engineering material, office equipment and other assets at McCook Field to Wright Field began on March 25, 1927, and was 85% complete by June 1 after moving 1,859 truckloads.[citation needed] "The Engineering School shut down for the school year 1927-28 at Wright Field,[3] which had the Army Air Corps Museum in Building 12.[9]

By November 1930, "the laboratory at Wright Field" had planes fitted as flying laboratories[10] (e.g., B-19 "flying laboratory" with "8-foot tires"),[11]: 139  and the equipment of the 1929 Full Flight Laboratory (closed out[where?] by the Daniel Guggenheim Fund for the Promotion of Aeronautics, which had established the principle of safe fog flying) was moved to Wright Field by the end of 1931. Materiel Division’s Fog Flying Unit under First Lt. Albert F. Hegenberger used the equipment for blind landings.[3]

Patterson Field

[edit]

Patterson Field, named for Frank Stuart Patterson, was designated on 6 July 1931 as the area[specify] of Wright Field east of Huffman Dam (including Fairfield Air Depot, Huffman Prairie, and Wright Field's airfield). Patterson Field became the location of the Materiel Division of the Air Corps[citation needed] and a key logistics center, and in 1935, quarters were built at Patterson Field,[3]: 350  which in 1939 still "was without runways...heavier aircraft met difficulty in landing in inclement weather."[12]: 7  Wright Field retained the land west of the Huffman Dam and became the research and development center of the Air Corps.[13]

Prewar events

[edit]

Engineering and flight activities of the two installations after the designation of Patterson Field included numerous aviation achievements and failures prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor:

Date Field Event
1932 May Patterson Blind landings at Patterson Field were conducted by the Fog Flying Unit using a variation of Doolitte's landing system from Mitchel Field.[3]: 278 
1933-01 Wright Both metal, two-place, low-wing monoplanes from Consolidated Aircraft (Y lP-25 for pursuit, XA-11 for attack) crashed during tests.[3]
1933-05 Patterson The Blue air force flew a simulated attack on Fort Knox representing "a rail and supply center" (the Red force's 1st Pursuit Group "maintained surveillance of Patterson Field" and relayed bombers' take off via a transport plane circling near Cincinnati.).[3]: 414 
1933-07 Wright The Materiel Division 1st course on the Mark XV Norden bombsight instructed "a few officers in care, maintenance, and operation" (2nd class finished September 1, 1934.)[3]
1935-08-28 Wright "Automatic radio navigation equipment comprising Sperry automatic pilot mechanically linked to standard radio compass" tested by Equipment Branch.[11]: 354 
1935-10-30 Wright The "Flying Fortress" prototype "Boeing 299 crashed during testing [after] no one had unlocked the rudder and elevator controls", killing the Flying Division chief and Boeing test pilot.[3]
1935-12-31 [specify] "Device insuring automatic fuel transfer in airplanes with reserve fuel tanks developed by Air Corps Materiel Division."[11]: 354 
1936 fall Wright Douglas Aircraft "delivered the first B-18 to Wright Field".[3]
1936-12 Wright The XB-15, "largest bombardment plane to date, from Boeing Plant at Seattle" arrived for testing.[11]: 354 
1937-05-20 Patterson The 10th Transport Group with Maj. Hugh A. Bivins commander (the group was headquartered as a Regular Army group.)[14] was activated as the Air Corps' "operational transport unit" with C-27s and C-33s
1937-09-01 Patterson The Air Corps Weather School began—20 of 25 in the first class graduated January 28.[15]
1939-04-20 Patterson "Air Corps school for autogiro training and maintenance opens".[11]: 354 
1939-05 Wright "First 4-blade controllable-pitch propeller known to be built in U. S. is installed on a P-36A".[11]: 355 
1939-07-30 Wright World record (payload): "Maj. C. V. Haynes and Capt. W. D. Old fly Army Boeing B-15 to 8200 ft. with...15½ tons".[11]: 355 
1940-06 Wright Construction began at Wright Field for World War II ($48,817,078 through September 1945), "the most extensive of all AAF command facilities."[12]: 140 
1941-06 Wright Dayton's Price Brothers Company began constructing 2 concrete USACE runways: NW-SE next to the flight line and E-W along the southern edge of the property (completed February 1942). A SW-NE runway was completed in 1944.[16][verification needed]
1941-06-21 Patterson Air Corps Ferrying Command opened an "installation point" at Patterson Field (moved to Romulus, Michigan by August).[17]
1941-10-17 Patterson Air Service Command established under the Materiel Division, OCAC, from the "Air Corps Provisional Maintenance Comd" formed on March 15, 1941 (renamed Air Corps Maintenance Command April 29,[11] elevated from provisional status on 30 June). ASC was removed from the Material Div on 11 December; "stored, overhauled, and repaired AAF aircraft and equipment" in World War II; and developed a network of base facilities [including] 11 air depots.[18] (moved to Washington DC on December 15, but returned to Patterson Field on December 15, 1942.)[8]

AAF and USAF base

[edit]

The Army Air Forces Technical Base was formed on December 15, 1945, when Wright Field, Patterson Field, Dayton Army Air Field in Vandalia and Clinton County AAF in Wilmington merged. After the USAF was created, the base was renamed Air Force Technical Base in December 1947 and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in January 1948.. The former Wright Field became Area B of the combined installation, the southern portion of Patterson Field became Area A, and the northern portion of Patterson Field, including the jet runway built in 1946–47, Area C.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Wilbur Wright Field

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Wilbur Wright Field was a pioneering U.S. military airfield established on June 28, 1917, near Dayton, Ohio, as a Signal Corps Aviation School to train pilots and support aircraft operations during World War I. Named after aviation pioneer Wilbur Wright, it occupied 2,075 acres adjacent to the Mad River and incorporated the historic Huffman Prairie Flying Field, where the Wright brothers had perfected controlled flight in 1904–1905. The field quickly became a hub for aviation education, graduating 82 pilots by December 1917 and hosting specialized schools for mechanics (opened December 17, 1917, training 1,181 graduates) and armorers (opened March 18, 1918, training 485 personnel). Following the war, Wilbur Wright Field transitioned into the Wilbur Wright Air Service Depot on January 10, 1919, focusing on aircraft repair, engine overhaul, and storage of hundreds of captured German planes for analysis and preservation. It hosted significant aeronautical events, including the Dayton International Air Races, which drew approximately 50,000 spectators and featured the Pulitzer Trophy Race won by Lt. Harry Mills amid a tragic crash by Capt. Burt Skeel. In the , the airfield's expansion included the relocation of the Army Air Service's Engineering Division in 1927, supporting advanced . By , donated lands totaling 4,520 acres integrated it into the newly formed Wright Field. In 1931, the adjacent area was designated as the separate Patterson Field to honor Lt. Frank Stuart Patterson. On January 13, 1948, Wilbur Wright Field's legacy merged with adjacent facilities to create , a cornerstone of U.S. innovation and Ohio's largest single-site employer.

Establishment and World War I

Founding and Site Development

In response to the ' entry into , the Aviation Section of the U.S. established Wilbur Wright Field in 1917 as a primary military airfield for aviation training. The site encompassed 2,075 acres adjacent to the Mad River near Riverside, Ohio, and was selected for its strategic proximity to the Flying Field, where the had conducted their pioneering powered flight experiments beginning in 1904. This location choice also honored Wilbur Wright, who had died in 1912, by naming the new installation after him; on June 6, 1917, the officially announced the designation of the aviation school as Wilbur Wright Field. The land for the field was leased from the Miami Conservancy District, which had previously acquired the largely agricultural area—including portions owned by local farmers—for flood control purposes along the Mad River. Construction commenced in late May 1917, with rapid development of essential infrastructure such as hangars, for personnel, and initial runways to support flight operations. By late 1917, the first permanent structures were completed, enabling the opening of facilities like the Aviation Mechanics' School on December 17. To provide logistical support, the adjacent Fairfield Aviation General , established in 1917, opened in January 1918, serving as a central hub for distributing parts, engines, and other to Wilbur Wright Field and nearby installations. This depot ensured the airfield's operational readiness amid the escalating demands of wartime expansion.

Training Operations and Facilities

Wilbur Wright Field served as a primary facility for pilot training for the U.S. Army starting in June 1917, with the Mechanics' opening in December 1917 and the Aviation Armorers' School in March 1918, following its initial establishment as an that month. The field hosted the , which utilized Curtiss JN-4D and Standard SJ-1 biplanes to train pilots, graduating 82 by December 1917 before pausing for winter and resuming operations in April 1918. Additionally, the , opened on December 17, 1917, focused on , motor, and motor mechanics, ultimately graduating 1,181 students by the end of the in 1918. The field accommodated various aero squadrons, including the 42nd, 44th, and others such as the 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 43rd, 47th, and 246th, for combat, service, and specialized training. These units supported an average of 160 students per month in the first year, with facilities encompassing up to 24 hangars, 144 airplanes, and flight testing areas that began operations on March 1, 1918, in collaboration with nearby McCook Field. The Armorers' School, established on March 18, 1918, provided a six-week course and graduated 485 enlisted personnel by November 1918. Logistical support came from the adjacent Fairfield Aviation General Supply Depot, established in October 1917, enabling sustained wartime activities. At its peak in 1918, the field supported 6,668 personnel, including 4,683 military members and 1,985 civilians, underscoring its role in scaling U.S. capabilities. The training programs contributed significantly to wartime readiness, producing skilled aviators and support staff essential for aerial operations. Following the in , all training initiatives were discontinued, with schools demobilized by February 1919.

Interwar Period

Postwar Reorganization

Following the of November 11, 1918, training operations at Wilbur Wright Field ceased by early 1919 as the demobilized its wartime forces. On January 10, 1919, the field officially merged administratively with the Air Service Armorer’s School, which provided specialized training in aircraft armament, and the adjacent Fairfield Air Depot, which handled supply and logistics, to form the Wilbur Wright Air Service Depot, shifting its primary roles to supply distribution, equipment repair, and engine overhaul for the newly established U.S. Air Service. This reorganization placed the facility in limited active status, emphasizing logistical support over pilot instruction. Personnel levels plummeted from a wartime peak of over 6,600 in 1918 to approximately 2,000 by 1920, consisting of about 50 officers, a small number of enlisted personnel, and roughly 1,100 to 1,500 civilians who handled maintenance and administrative duties. Early interwar activities included the storage and disposal of surplus and from the , alongside basic flight operations to support Air Service needs in the Midwest. The postwar period brought severe challenges, including drastic budget cuts that reduced the Air Service's overall funding to $25 million in 1919 from higher wartime levels, leading to widespread facility decay at Wilbur Wright Field and underutilization of its infrastructure. These reductions exacerbated local economic impacts in the Dayton area, where the downsizing contributed to job losses and strained the community's reliance on aviation-related , though the field's continued presence helped sustain some industrial activity.

Key Events and Technological Advances

During the , Wilbur Wright Field served as a prominent venue for major events that captivated the public and advanced aeronautical . In October 1924, the field hosted the International Air Races, organized by the National Aeronautic Association, which included the prestigious Pulitzer Trophy Race over a 50-kilometer closed course emphasizing speed. This three-day event drew approximately 50,000 spectators, far exceeding initial expectations, and featured 12 competitive races alongside aerial demonstrations and exhibits that highlighted emerging and civilian capabilities. The races not only showcased record-breaking performances, such as Lieutenant Harry H. Mills's victory in the Pulitzer at 216 mph and Lieutenant John A. Macready's altitude record of 17,000 feet, but also fostered widespread local interest in by demonstrating the potential of high-speed flight and innovations. These gatherings in the , including air shows and competitive meets, significantly boosted with flight and positioned the Dayton area as a hub for enthusiasm. A landmark achievement occurred in April 1923 when Lieutenants John A. Macready and Oakley G. Kelly, flying a Fokker T-2 , established multiple world at Wilbur Wright Field over a closed-circuit course. Their endurance flight covered 2,500 kilometers (1,553 miles) in 21 hours, 55 minutes, and 30 seconds, setting for distance and duration while achieving an average speed of 44 , underscoring the field's role in pushing the boundaries of long-range flight reliability. These feats validated improvements in aircraft design and pilot stamina, contributing to the evolution of transcontinental capabilities demonstrated later that year in a nonstop coast-to-coast flight using the same model. In 1924, Wilbur Wright Field pioneered aids by installing the U.S. Army Air Service's first experimental radio beacon system for instrument flying, utilizing an interlock setup with four transmitters emitting signals—dash-dot "N" for left turns and dot-dash "A" for right—to guide pilots in low-visibility conditions. This innovation, tested successfully at the Dayton site, marked an early step toward reliable all-weather operations and influenced subsequent developments for safer aerial .

Redesignations and Expansions

Transition to Wright Field

In 1924, the Dayton Air Service Committee raised funds to purchase over 4,500 acres of land adjacent to the existing Wilbur Wright Field and donated it to the federal government to secure a permanent home for the Army's aeronautical activities, leading to the site's redesignation as Wright Field in honor of the . This transition marked a shift from the temporary facilities at McCook Field to a dedicated, expansive site for , with the transfer of engineering materials and assets from McCook beginning in March 1927 and completing by May 1929. The formal dedication of Wright Field occurred on October 12, 1927, in the auditorium of the newly constructed Administration Building (Building 11), with Orville Wright participating by raising the first flag, making it the first U.S. Army installation named for living civilians. This event solidified the field's permanent status as the Army's primary center for aviation experimentation. Following the creation of the U.S. Army Air Corps on July 2, 1926, via the Air Corps Act, Wright Field expanded its role as the headquarters for the Materiel Division, emphasizing engineering, procurement, and testing of aircraft and components. Infrastructure developments in the late 1920s included the construction of key facilities starting April 16, 1926, such as laboratories (Building 16), hangars (Building 31), and warehouses (Building 56), all in a distinctive architectural style that supported experimental work. By the late 1920s, Wright Field had become a hub for early research and development, housing prototypes of experimental aircraft and advanced testing equipment like wind tunnels and altitude chambers to advance aeronautical technologies.

Establishment of Patterson Field

In 1931, the U.S. Army Air Corps redesignated the eastern portion of Wright Field, located east of Huffman Dam, as Patterson Field on July 1, to serve as a dedicated logistics and supply center distinct from the research-oriented functions of the main Wright Field site. This new designation honored First Lieutenant Frank Stuart Patterson, a Dayton native and aviation pioneer who perished in a 1918 aircraft crash during a test flight at the original Wilbur Wright Field location. The field incorporated the existing Fairfield Air Depot, established in 1917, to centralize supply chain operations for Air Corps activities across multiple states and installations. Patterson Field's initial development emphasized administrative and storage infrastructure rather than aviation infrastructure, with facilities including the relocation of Fairfield Air Depot headquarters to Building 11 in , along with warehouses for parts and equipment storage. No runways were constructed at the time, reflecting its primary role in ground-based logistics support rather than flight operations. Early operations at Patterson Field focused on building a robust support network for the Air Corps, including the training of personnel in ground support roles such as supply technicians and maintenance crews. By the mid-1930s, facilities expanded to include a Transient Camp in 1934 for temporary workers amid the and 92 brick quarters units between 1935 and 1936 to house officers involved in logistics coordination. These efforts positioned Patterson Field as a critical node in the national , handling distribution and sustainment tasks that complemented broader Air Corps objectives without overlapping into experimental or developmental activities.

Pre-World War II Era

Research and Development Initiatives

During , the Materiel Division at Wright Field, established in , underwent significant expansion to enhance its capabilities in design and procurement, responsible for managing the U.S. Army Air Corps' production and acquisition programs. By , the division employed over 3,700 personnel. This growth included the construction of specialized facilities such as Buildings 11, 16, 31, and 56, which supported modern industrial operations for aeronautical engineering. By this period, the division focused on diversifying and modernizing types, including pursuit, attack, and designs, to meet emerging needs ahead of global conflicts. Key infrastructure developments included the establishment of flying laboratories and by 1930, which facilitated advanced aerodynamic testing and experimentation. Two were relocated from the former McCook Field, comprising a 5-foot tunnel for general aerodynamic research and a 14-inch tunnel for specialized studies; these were complemented by plans for a larger 20-foot by 1939 to handle full-scale components. Flying laboratories, often modified equipped with for in-flight , enabled real-time evaluation of , structures, and performance under various conditions. Additionally, the Air Corps Engineering School at Wright Field offered training programs for personnel on advanced technologies, including precision sighting and navigation systems akin to the , preparing engineers for complex procurement and maintenance roles. Specific initiatives highlighted the field's pioneering role in aviation safety and heavy bomber development. In the 1930s, Wright Field tested blind landing systems, leading to the world's first fully automatic instrument landing in 1937 using radio-based guidance at the adjacent Patterson Field complex. Procurement efforts included the evaluation and acquisition of advanced bombers, such as the , which was delivered to Wright Field in December 1937 for extensive testing of its long-range capabilities and heavy payload design. These programs involved close collaboration with industry partners like , where field engineers worked directly with manufacturers to refine specifications and integrate feedback from flight tests. By 1939, Wright Field was a major hub for experimental flights, underscoring its status as a center for aeronautical innovation and test evaluation. These flights encompassed a wide range of prototypes and modifications, contributing to foundational advancements in military aviation that informed pre-World War II strategies.

Notable Achievements and Incidents

In the 1930s, Wright Field—by then operating as Wright Field—saw multiple prototype aircraft crashes that underscored the growing complexity of aviation technology and drove significant safety advancements. A notable example was the October 30, 1935, crash of the Boeing Model 299 (NX13372), the prototype for the B-17 Flying Fortress, during a demonstration takeoff at Wright Field. Piloted by Major Ployer P. Hill and with Boeing test pilot Lieutenant Donald L. Bronson at the controls, the aircraft stalled and crashed due to unreleased gust locks on the elevator and rudder controls, killing Hill and Bronson while injuring three others; the incident's investigation revealed human error in preflight procedures amid the plane's sophisticated systems. This and similar prototype accidents throughout the decade, including structural failures and control issues during high-speed tests, led to the adoption of standardized preflight checklists by the U.S. Army Air Corps, a practice that revolutionized aviation safety protocols and remains standard today. Amid these challenges, Wright Field also achieved pioneering milestones in aircraft performance and instrumentation. On July 30, 1939, Major Caleb V. Haynes and Captain William D. Old piloted the experimental bomber to set a for payload-to-altitude, carrying 14,135 kilograms (31,162 pounds) of cargo to 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) over the field, demonstrating the potential of heavy-lift bombers for long-range operations. Complementing such feats, engineers at Wright Field validated early instrument flight technologies, including the first fully automatic landing on August 23, 1937, when Captain George V. Holloman and Captain Carl J. Crane used a Sperry A-1 automatic pilot and radio range system in a Fokker C-14B to land blind at the adjacent Patterson Field, paving the way for reliable all-weather operations. These pre-World War II accomplishments at the field not only boosted U.S. capabilities but also influenced global standards for and safety.

Postwar Developments

Role in Army Air Forces

During , Wright Field served as the primary hub for the Army Air Forces' Materiel Command, undergoing rapid expansion to support the . The facility grew from approximately 40 buildings in 1941 to over 300 by 1944, including new hangars, laboratories, and an accelerated completed in 1942 to accommodate larger . Adjacent Patterson Field, focused on , acquired 851 additional acres and constructed extensive warehouses, , and units such as Skyway Park, while sponsoring extensions to handle heavy bombardment operations. These developments enabled Wright Field to prioritize engineering for bombers like the B-29 Superfortress and fighters such as the P-51 Mustang, alongside advancements in and aeromedical research. A key aspect of Wright Field's contributions involved testing captured enemy and pioneering technologies. By late 1942, a dedicated was established there to and develop jet engines and , culminating in the nation's first jet-powered plane by war's end. The field also analyzed numerous German and Japanese , with the Air Documents Research Center formed in 1945 to evaluate captured documents and hardware, including exhibits at the Army Air Forces Fair that October. These efforts provided critical intelligence that informed U.S. designs and countered Axis innovations. Meanwhile, Patterson Field emerged as a major center, managing 21 storage depots across a nine-state region and shipping , parts, and supplies to the European and Pacific theaters via air, rail, and sea routes, while training thousands in supply and maintenance roles. By mid-1944, combined employment at the two fields peaked at over 50,000 personnel, including , , and a significant proportion of women in roles from mechanics to storekeepers, reflecting the scale of the wartime surge. Patterson Field's Fairfield Air Depot alone handled the largest U.S. stockpile of war , operating around the clock to sustain global operations. Following Japan's surrender in , demobilization rapidly reduced personnel—from about 31,000 in late to around 20,000 by 1947—while Patterson processed over 35,000 separations and inactivated key units like the Fairfield Air Depot in 1946. Wright Field shifted focus to postwar R&D priorities, emphasizing and guided missiles to prepare for emerging challenges, building on wartime foundations without major disruptions.

Merger and Legacy as Wright-Patterson AFB

In 1948, following the establishment of the United States Air Force, Wright Field and Patterson Field underwent a formal merger on January 13 to form Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, consolidating research, development, and logistics functions into a unified installation. The new base was divided into three primary areas to preserve operational distinctions: Area A encompassed the former Patterson Field headquarters east of Huffman Dam, Area B covered the original Wright Field west of the dam, and Area C included the remaining portions of Patterson Field west of the dam. This reorganization streamlined postwar activities under the Air Materiel Command, enabling efficient management of aircraft procurement, maintenance, and technological innovation amid the transition from Army Air Forces oversight. Throughout the era, Wright-Patterson AFB solidified its role as a premier center for as well as support, overseeing critical operations such as the Berlin Airlift in 1948–1949 and materiel supply for the in the early 1950s. The base's laboratories advanced , systems, and strategic aircraft designs, contributing to capabilities in nuclear deterrence and . By the , it had become a hub for systems integration, supporting programs like the B-70 Valkyrie bomber and early aerospace initiatives that bridged conventional aviation with emerging space technologies. Post-1951 developments at Wright-Patterson extended its influence into the U.S. space program, where facilities like the Flight Dynamics Laboratory provided essential testing for hypersonic vehicles and reentry technologies, including heat shields for space capsules. Engineers at the base contributed to projects such as the X-20 Dyna-Soar orbital glider in the early , enhancing Air Force expertise in and systems. These efforts underscored the base's evolution from terrestrial flight testing to broader domains, with ongoing R&D influencing reconnaissance and programs. The legacy of Wright-Patterson AFB endures through its hosting of the National Museum of the United States , established in 1960 as the world's largest , which preserves over 360 aircraft and artifacts spanning aviation history. The site also safeguards the ' heritage, with Flying Field designated a in 1990 and integrated into the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park in 1992, featuring interpretive centers and annual commemorations like wreath-laying ceremonies at Wright Brothers Hill. Historical markers on the base highlight early flight experiments, ensuring the original Wilbur Wright Field's contributions to powered aviation remain accessible to visitors. Today, Wright-Patterson stands as Ohio's largest single-site employer, supporting over 38,000 , civilian, and contractor personnel with an annual economic impact of approximately $16.7 billion to the regional economy (as of 2024).

References

  1. https://www.wpafb.af.mil/Portals/60/documents/Index/History-of-WPAFB.pdf
  2. https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=following
  3. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/the-pulitzer-trophy-and-national-air-races-at-wilbur-wright-field.htm
  4. https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-archive/wright-field-technical-documents-library/sova-nasm-xxxx-0428
  5. https://www.wpafb.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3931059/a-lookbackthe-early-beginnings-of-wright-field/
  6. https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/daav/chap11.htm
  7. https://www.aflcmc.af.mil/NEWS/Article-Display/Article/3068680/this-week-in-aflcmc-history-june-20-26-2022/
  8. https://www.wpafb.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2700794/a-look-backfairfield-air-depot/
  9. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/AD1024524.pdf
  10. http://www.strategic-air-command.com/bases/Wright-Patterson_AFB.htm
  11. https://www.ohiohistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/rp-23.pdf
  12. https://daytonautoandmemorabilia.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/WPAFB-History.pdf
  13. https://www.mercatus.org/system/files/millsap-dayton-ohio-case-study-mr-mercatus-v3.pdf
  14. https://www.wpafb.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2303612/flashback-the-1924-international-air-races/
  15. https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/16-17-april-1923/
  16. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA195714.pdf
  17. https://afhistory.org/october-12-1927/
  18. https://www.afhistory.af.mil/FAQs/Fact-Sheets/Article/459017/1926-the-us-army-air-corps-act/
  19. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/namesakes-wright-patterson/
  20. https://www.stripes.com/history/2024-02-06/namesake-wright-patterson-afb-12918423.html
  21. https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/how-winding-set-innovations-formed-wright-patterson-air-force-base/ThmY4v2XwtKUlzCX5Adn2O/
  22. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA377284.pdf
  23. https://scholar.afit.edu/context/docs/article/1131/viewcontent/air_corp_engineering_school_1935_ocr.pdf
  24. https://pacificeagles.net/boeing-xb-15/
  25. https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/610002/model-299-crash/
  26. https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/30-october-1935/
  27. https://airandspace.si.edu/multimedia-gallery/model-299-crash-1930s
  28. https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/30-july-1939/
  29. https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/23-august-1937/
  30. https://www.wpafb.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3897633/flashback-j-33i-40-turbo-supercharger-jet-engine/
  31. https://www.aflcmc.af.mil/Portals/79/An%20Extraordinary%20Century%20for%20Women%202000.pdf
  32. https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local-military/technology-advances-highlight-wright-patt-impact-for-past-century/fUIMUzzR18UJcqdJR7uzMJ/
  33. https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/
  34. https://www.nps.gov/daav/index.htm
  35. https://turner.house.gov/wright-patterson-air-force-base
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