Traveling Through Nebraska: Alliance Army Air Field
Located in Alliance, Nebraska, a small city situated in the northwestern part of the state, approximately 130 miles north of Scottsbluff and 270 miles northwest of Kearney, Alliance Army Air Field was a United States Army Air Forces airfield during World War II. Established in 1942 as a Second Air Force training airfield, the base played an important role in the war effort, serving as a site for the training of aircrews, including bomber pilots.
One of the notable training programs conducted at Alliance Army Air Field was the bombardier training program, which focused on educating crew members who operated the Norden bombsight, a complex mechanical analog computer used to accurately release bombs from aircraft. The airfield was also used for the testing of aircraft, including the B-17 Flying Fortress, a four-engine heavy bomber that was widely used during the war.
The airfield itself was designed to accommodate a maximum of 3,500 personnel and featured several operational facilities, including runways, hangars, barracks, and mess halls. However, in 1946, with the end of the war and the subsequent demobilization of the military, the airfield was transferred to the United States Department of the Interior and was eventually decommissioned.
In the years following the war, the airfield was repurposed for civilian use and was subsequently renamed the Alliance Municipal Airport. Today, the airport continues to operate, offering general aviation, charter flights, and other services to the local community. While much of the original infrastructure has been modified or replaced, remnants of the airfield's military past remain, including several original hangars and buildings that date back to the war era.
During a visit to Alliance, travelers can explore the airport and its surroundings to gain insight into the airfield's rich history. The nearby city of Alliance offers a range of amenities and attractions, including the Alliance Historic District, the Carnegie Arts Center, and the Box Butte Reservoir State Recreation Area.
While the history of Alliance Army Air Field may be little known outside of the local community, it serves as an important reminder of the critical role that small cities and towns throughout the United States played in the war effort during World War II. Visitors to the area can deepen their understanding of this topic by exploring the numerous historical sites and landmarks that are scattered throughout the region.
Alliance Army Air Field is also of interest to those who wish to explore the history of aviation in the United States, particularly during World War II. A visit to the airport and surrounding area offers a glimpse into the complex operations involved in military aviation and the significant contributions of Nebraska to the war effort.
In addition to exploring the airport and its surroundings, travelers to the area may wish to visit other nearby sites that highlight the military and aviation history of the region, including the Western Nebraska Regional Airport, located in nearby Scottsbluff, and the Historic Fort Robinson State Park, which is situated near the town of Crawford.
One of the notable training programs conducted at Alliance Army Air Field was the bombardier training program, which focused on educating crew members who operated the Norden bombsight, a complex mechanical analog computer used to accurately release bombs from aircraft. The airfield was also used for the testing of aircraft, including the B-17 Flying Fortress, a four-engine heavy bomber that was widely used during the war.
The airfield itself was designed to accommodate a maximum of 3,500 personnel and featured several operational facilities, including runways, hangars, barracks, and mess halls. However, in 1946, with the end of the war and the subsequent demobilization of the military, the airfield was transferred to the United States Department of the Interior and was eventually decommissioned.
In the years following the war, the airfield was repurposed for civilian use and was subsequently renamed the Alliance Municipal Airport. Today, the airport continues to operate, offering general aviation, charter flights, and other services to the local community. While much of the original infrastructure has been modified or replaced, remnants of the airfield's military past remain, including several original hangars and buildings that date back to the war era.
During a visit to Alliance, travelers can explore the airport and its surroundings to gain insight into the airfield's rich history. The nearby city of Alliance offers a range of amenities and attractions, including the Alliance Historic District, the Carnegie Arts Center, and the Box Butte Reservoir State Recreation Area.
While the history of Alliance Army Air Field may be little known outside of the local community, it serves as an important reminder of the critical role that small cities and towns throughout the United States played in the war effort during World War II. Visitors to the area can deepen their understanding of this topic by exploring the numerous historical sites and landmarks that are scattered throughout the region.
Alliance Army Air Field is also of interest to those who wish to explore the history of aviation in the United States, particularly during World War II. A visit to the airport and surrounding area offers a glimpse into the complex operations involved in military aviation and the significant contributions of Nebraska to the war effort.
In addition to exploring the airport and its surroundings, travelers to the area may wish to visit other nearby sites that highlight the military and aviation history of the region, including the Western Nebraska Regional Airport, located in nearby Scottsbluff, and the Historic Fort Robinson State Park, which is situated near the town of Crawford.
