Contributed by Presque Isle Air Museum
Description
Presque Isle Army Airfield Headquarters was also the headquarters for the Army Air Corps, Air Transport Command, North American Division. Its mission was to fly men, supplies and equipment to the British Isles in preparation for war in Europe.
The first troops arrived in Presque Isle to start establishing the base on September 15, 1941. At that time, no military facilities existed and the men lived in tents and trailers.
At the height of base activity during World War II, more aircraft flights flew from Presque Isle to Europe than from any other American base. After the invasion of Europe, the airbase converted C-54s and other aircraft into flying ambulances to bring seriously wounded troops back for treatment.
Activity at the base wound down after the war from 1946-1947. However, the base was reactivated in 1947 for fighter support and later it was the only North American base for the Snark intercontinental missiles. The base was closed and returned to civilian use in 1960.
About This Item
- Title: Army Airfield Headquarters, Presque Isle, 1943
- Creation Date: 1943
- Subject Date: 1943
- Location: Presque Isle, Aroostook County, ME
- Media: Photographic print
- Dimensions: 19 cm x 23 cm
- Object Type: Image
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- United States. Army Air Forces
- Northern Maine Regional Airport (Presque Isle, Me.)
- Airports--Maine--Presque Isle
Other Keywords
- Air Transport Command
- Army Air Corps
- British Isles
- Cold War
- Europe.
- Headquarters
- intercontinental missiles
- North American Division
- Presque Isle Army Airfield
- Snark
For more information about this item, contact:
Presque Isle Air Museum650 Airport Drive Suite 4, Presque Isle, ME 04769
(207) 764-2543
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. No Permission is required to use the low-resolution watermarked image for educational use, or as allowed by the applicable copyright. For all other uses, permission is required.
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