Big Spring Army Glider Training School
| Big Spring Army Glider Training School | |
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C-47 tugs and CG-4 gliders at a Southwestern United States Training aircfield, possibly at the Big Spring Army Glider Training School | |
| Active | 10 July 1942 - 15 January 1943 |
| Country |
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| Branch | US Army |
| Role | Glider training school |
| Garrison/HQ | Big Spring, Texas |
Big Spring Army Glider Training School is an abandoned facility located approximately 18 miles (29 km) north-northwest of Big Spring, Texas. It is now farmland and no trace of it exists.
History
The facility consisted of a 7,000' dirt runway located in a sparsely populated area. It was activated on 10 July 1942 and was operated under contract to the United States Army Air Forces by Big Spring Flying Service.
Used primarily C-47 Skytrains and Waco CG-4 unpowered gliders. The mission of the school was to train glider pilot students in proficiency in operation of gliders in various types of towed and soaring flight, both day and night, and in servicing of gliders in the field.
Training ceased with students transferred to Big Spring Army Airfield due to inadequacy of water supply and barracks heating on 15 January 1943.
See also
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Big Spring Army Glider Training School. |
- Shaw, Frederick J. (2004), Locating Air Force Base Sites History’s Legacy, Air Force History and Museums Program, United States Air Force, Washington DC, 2004.
- Manning, Thomas A. (2005), History of Air Education and Training Command, 1942–2002. Office of History and Research, Headquarters, AETC, Randolph AFB, Texas ASIN: B000NYX3PC
External links
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Coordinates: 32°30′00″N 101°31′00″W / 32.50000°N 101.51667°W