Sherman Army Airfield

Sherman Army Airfield is a former United States Army airfield located in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, near the Missouri River and the cities of Leavenworth, Kansas, and Kansas City, Kansas. The airfield was named after William Tecumseh Sherman, a famous American Civil War general who played a crucial role in the Battle of Atlanta and the March to the Sea. The airfield has a rich history, with connections to notable figures such as Dwight D. Eisenhower, who attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, and Omar Bradley, who served as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The airfield's history is also linked to significant events, including the Normandy landings and the Battle of the Bulge.

● History

The history of Sherman Army Airfield dates back to the early 20th century, when the United States Army Air Corps was established, with notable figures such as Henry H. Arnold and Carl A. Spaatz playing important roles in its development. The airfield was constructed during World War II, with the help of the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Kansas National Guard. The airfield was used as a training base for B-29 Superfortress pilots, with connections to the Enola Gay and the Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The airfield also played a role in the Cold War, with the United States Air Force using it as a base for Strategic Air Command operations, including the U-2 incident and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Notable events, such as the Berlin Blockade and the Korean War, also had connections to the airfield.

● Location

Sherman Army Airfield is located in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, near the Missouri River and the cities of Leavenworth, Kansas, and Kansas City, Kansas. The airfield is situated near the United States Army Command and General Staff College, which is attended by officers from the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps. The airfield is also close to the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, and the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site in Independence, Missouri. The location of the airfield has connections to notable figures, including Harry S. Truman, who served as the President of the United States during the Potsdam Conference and the Yalta Conference.

● Operations

The operations at Sherman Army Airfield were focused on training and logistics, with connections to notable events such as the D-Day invasion of Normandy and the Battle of Stalingrad. The airfield was used as a base for C-47 Skytrain and C-54 Skymaster aircraft, which were used for transport and supply missions, including the Berlin Airlift and the Korean War. The airfield was also used for training purposes, with the United States Army Air Forces using it as a base for P-51 Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolt pilots, who flew missions during the European Theater of Operations and the Pacific Theater of Operations. Notable figures, such as George S. Patton and Douglas MacArthur, had connections to the airfield's operations.

● Facilities

The facilities at Sherman Army Airfield included a runway, hangars, and other support buildings, with connections to notable organizations such as the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Kansas National Guard. The airfield had a control tower and a fire station, and was equipped with Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) navigation aids, which were used during the Cold War and the Korean War. The airfield also had a fuel storage facility and a maintenance hangar, which were used for the B-29 Superfortress and the C-47 Skytrain. The facilities were used by notable units, including the United States Army Air Forces and the Strategic Air Command.

● Closure

The closure of Sherman Army Airfield occurred in the 1990s, as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, which was established by the United States Congress and implemented by the United States Department of Defense. The airfield was closed due to a reduction in military operations and a shift in the United States Army's focus towards more modern and efficient facilities, including the Fort Leavenworth and the Fort Riley. The closure of the airfield had an impact on the local community, with connections to notable figures such as Bob Dole and Nancy Kassebaum, who served as United States Senators from Kansas. The site of the former airfield is now being redeveloped for civilian use, with connections to notable organizations such as the City of Leavenworth, Kansas and the Leavenworth County, Kansas.

Category:Airports in Kansas