Alamogordo Army Air Field
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| Alamogordo Army Air Field | |
|---|---|
 United States Air Force · Public domain · source | |
| Name | Alamogordo Army Air Field |
| Location | Otero County, New Mexico |
| Coordinates | 32, 51, 06, N... |
| Type | United States Army Air Forces airfield |
| Built | 1942 |
| Used | 1942–1945 |
| Controlledby | Second Air Force, Air Technical Service Command |
| Garrison | 359th Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron |
| Battles | World War II |
Alamogordo Army Air Field was a significant United States Army Air Forces installation established during World War II in southern New Mexico. Primarily serving as a bomber crew training base and later a storage facility for surplus aircraft, it played a crucial role in the war effort and was closely associated with the nearby White Sands Proving Ground. The airfield's operations were integral to the broader Manhattan Project and the development of the nation's air power.
History
The airfield was constructed in early 1942 as part of the massive wartime expansion of the United States Army Air Forces. It was activated under the jurisdiction of the Second Air Force, which was responsible for training heavy bomber units. The 359th Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron served as the initial host unit, managing base operations. As the war progressed, its mission evolved, and control was transferred to the Air Technical Service Command in 1944, reflecting a shift toward aircraft storage and reclamation. Following the end of World War II, the facility was declared surplus and closed in late 1945. The site later became the foundation for the modern Holloman Air Force Base, which was established in the immediate postwar period.
Geography and Climate
The airfield was situated on the high desert of the Tularosa Basin, approximately six miles west of the city of Alamogordo, New Mexico, in Otero County, New Mexico. This region is characterized by an arid climate with low annual precipitation, abundant sunshine, and wide temperature variations between day and night. The terrain is predominantly flat, scrub-covered plain, providing ideal conditions for aviation operations and long runways. The location offered significant advantages for military flight training due to consistent VFR weather and proximity to vast, unpopulated areas for bombing and gunnery ranges. The stark landscape also contributed to its selection for sensitive activities related to the White Sands Proving Ground.
Operations and Missions
The primary mission of Alamogordo Army Air Field was the advanced training of bomber crews for the B-17 Flying Fortress and the B-24 Liberator. These crews, having completed individual specialization, came together for final unit training under the Second Air Force. Following the Doolittle Raid and major offensives like the Combined Bomber Offensive, the need for replacement crews remained high. In 1944, its mission shifted to supporting the Air Technical Service Command, where it functioned as a large-scale storage and disposal depot for thousands of surplus aircraft, including the B-29 Superfortress and various fighter types. The base also provided logistical support for the secretive operations at the adjacent White Sands Proving Ground.
Facilities and Infrastructure
The airfield was built as a standard World War II installation with three concrete runways arranged in a triangle, the longest exceeding 8,000 feet to accommodate heavy bombers. It featured extensive ramp space, multiple hangars for maintenance, and a large network of hardstands for parking aircraft. Support facilities included barracks, mess halls, a hospital, and administrative buildings constructed in the temporary wartime style. A dedicated railroad spur connected the base to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway main line, facilitating the movement of personnel, equipment, and aircraft components. The infrastructure was designed to support a transient population of several thousand personnel and the intensive operations of a training and storage depot.
Notable Events
The most historically significant event associated with the airfield was its role in the Manhattan Project. It served as the delivery and transfer point for the components of "The Gadget," the first atomic device, which was assembled at the nearby McDonald Ranch House and detonated at the Trinity test site in July 1945. Personnel and equipment from the airfield provided critical support for the Trinity test. Furthermore, in the postwar period, the airfield's vast storage yards held hundreds of B-29 Superfortress bombers, some of which were later scrapped or sold. The base's closure and subsequent transition directly led to the establishment of Holloman Air Force Base, a key center for research and development, including programs for the SR-71 Blackbird and F-117 Nighthawk. Category:World War II airfields in New Mexico Category:Buildings and structures in Otero County, New Mexico Category:Closed facilities of the United States Army Air Forces