The US Army and US Navy both decided that Oregon would be a great location for numerous airfields in support of training and positioning of air crews.
Oregon is not the first state that comes to mind when discussing military bases and active-duty military. During World War II, however, this was not the case. From bombers to fighters and even some balloons, Oregon’s skies were filled with aircraft. Most of these bases have either been lost to time or transformed into civilian airports. Explore the rich history of Oregon’s World War II airfields by taking a step back in time.
Historian Andretta Schellinger has lived in Oregon the majority of her life. She has two bachelor’s degrees from Pacific University in history and sociology and a master’s degree in military and diplomatic studies from Hawaii Pacific University. While living in Hawaii, she worked at the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) as an archivist. She now owns Schellinger Research, based in Central Oregon, where she lives with her husband, daughter, and numerous animals. She is the author of three books and specializes in cultural history.