Flying over abandoned Marfa Army Airfield

During World War II, the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) established a significant number of training airfields across the state of Texas. The USAAF Western Flying Training Command selected Marfa as the site for an advanced multi-engine flying school in 1942. Due to an initial lack of supplies and properly trained personnel, the USAAF struggled at first to establish the command effectively and to provide adequate housing for those who served here. The airfield had four hangars, five runways and a unique angled parking apron. There were also several auxiliary fields in the area. Support personnel here included a Women's Army Corps unit established in 1943 and African American troops, assigned primarily to motor pool duties. Trainees included allied Chinese flying cadets, the first class arriving in September 1944. After Germany surrendered in May 1945, the USAAF considered deactivating Marfa Army Air Field and placed the installation on standby status. However, the need for additional transport aircraft in the Pacific campaign temporarily extended the mission of the airfield. In June 1945, the USAAF placed the airfield in the Troop Carrier Command as home of the 818th Army Air Forces Base. The USAAF formally deactivated the base in September 1945, and the gradual exodus of the military had a devastating impact on Marfa. The military sold off buildings, many later used for civilian purposes in Marfa, Alpine and other locales. Today, all that remains of the once impressive site are foundations, runways and the memories of those who proudly supported the airfield during the war. Texas in World War II - 2007 (Source: Texas Historical Commission).

[richardellis]

Grew up north of here in Ft. Davis. This airfield was the site of the 1970 World Gliding Championship. Many of the top competitors were from behind the Iron Curtain and everyone was super nice to a geeky 14 year old kid poking his nose around. The pavement was in much better shape then and there were several buildings that were still in use. The current Marfa Municipal Airport is one of the satellite fields for this base, and the faint outlines of others can be seen at 30 08' 52"/102 50' 07", 30 20' 31"/104 10' 00", and 30 24' 55"/104 17' 31"

[taco-lover]

That looks like a neat place to fly over on my paramotor!

[QueensJack]

The old movie set of the Benedict House for the movie "Giant'' used to be out that way and still upright many years ago, still around these days??? Might be the ''Ryan Ranch'' now but not sure..

[samuelsalgado]

Nice video. I live in marfa and didn’t even know about this. I have a drone too, so maybe I can fly it over there sometime. I’m subscribing for sure.

[KC-fbql]

Wow! This is way cool! I’ve been to the Marfa Lights viewing center but only learned about the airfield later. I’d love to get out there and walk around. Great vid :)

[Turboy]

I don't know why you felt compelled to set this video to any sort of music. But if you must do that, why did you pick such SHIT music to ruin the video with? Volume off, that fixes it!