Site of Old Midland Army Flying School
Midland, Midland County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Old Sloan Field, built 1931, in 1942 became Midland Army Flying School, for bombardier cadets. At one time it was called largest bombardier training center in the world. One of over 25 World War II airfields in Texas, its cadets flew 861,510 hours in Beech "AT-11" aircraft, dropping 1,245,107 bombs. Last class of cadets graduated in Jan. 1945. The field was used as an Army Air Forces instructor school (Bombardier) until World War II ended later that year. After military phase-out, 1947, commercial field opened 1950. (1968)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Built in 1931 as Sloan Field, this West Texas airfield became the Midland Army Flying School in 1942 and grew into what was called the largest bombardier training center in the world. One of more than 25 World War II airfields in Texas, its cadets logged over 861,000 flying hours in Beech AT-11 trainers and released more than 1.2 million practice bombs. The last class graduated in January 1945, and after the war the site transitioned to commercial aviation.
Why it matters
The field was a linchpin of the vast home-front training machine that prepared American airmen for World War II, part of Texas's outsized role in winning the air war.
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Related events
- · World War II bombardier training
Themes & tags
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