Wheeler Army Airfield

Wheeler Army Airfield is a vital United States Army aviation facility located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, adjacent to the Schofield Barracks military reservation. Established in the early 1920s, it played a pivotal and tragic role during the attack on Pearl Harbor and has since evolved into a key hub for Army aviation and intelligence operations in the Indo-Pacific region. The airfield supports a diverse array of rotary-wing aircraft and hosts several major United States Army commands, contributing significantly to the defense posture of the United States in the Pacific.

History

The airfield's origins trace to 1922 when it was constructed as a primary base for the United States Army Air Service, initially named Wheeler Field in honor of Major Sheldon H. Wheeler. It rapidly became a central installation for the Hawaiian Air Force and was a primary target for the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, suffering devastating losses to its parked P-40 and B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft. Throughout World War II, it served as a critical fighter base for operations across the Pacific Theater of Operations, including the Battle of Midway and the Marianas campaign. Following the war, it transitioned from United States Army Air Forces control to the United States Army after the creation of the United States Air Force in 1947, and was redesignated Wheeler Army Airfield in 1991.

Facilities

The airfield encompasses approximately 1,389 acres and features a single primary runway, 04/22, which is 5,520 feet long and 150 feet wide. Its operations are focused on rotary-wing aviation, supporting units like the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade and various special operations assets. Key facilities include modern hangars, maintenance bays, fuel storage areas, and the Pacific Regional Training Center. The airfield is integrated within the larger Schofield Barracks complex and shares close operational ties with Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, facilitating joint operations with the United States Navy and United States Air Force.

Based units

Wheeler Army Airfield hosts a significant concentration of Army aviation and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets. Major tenants include the headquarters of the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) Aviation Directorate and the 25th Infantry Division's 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, which operates UH-60 Black Hawk, AH-64 Apache, and CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The installation is also a key site for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) and houses elements of the 500th Military Intelligence Brigade, supporting the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command.

Accidents and incidents

The airfield has experienced several notable aviation accidents throughout its history. A significant post-war incident occurred in 1948 when a P-51 Mustang crashed shortly after takeoff. In more recent decades, training accidents involving UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade have been documented. The airfield's proximity to populated areas, including Wahiawa and Mililani, has occasionally raised community concerns regarding flight safety, though overall accident rates remain consistent with Army aviation norms.

See also

* Schofield Barracks * Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam * Attack on Pearl Harbor * United States Army Pacific * 25th Infantry Division (United States) * History of the United States Army Air Corps

Category:United States Army airfields Category:Buildings and structures in Honolulu County, Hawaii Category:Airports in Hawaii