In use 1940-1945 | ||
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Zephyrhills Army Airfield, was a World War II United States Army Air Forces airfield, located 1.6 miles (2.6 km) east-southeast of Zephyrhills, Florida.
Contents
History
Originally developed in the late 1930s as a municipal airport, the citizens of Zephyrhills financed the construction through federal funds and matching local donations. The airport was taken over in January 1942 by the United States Army Air Corps, and Zephyrhills Army Airfield was assigned as a sub-base to the Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics (AAFSAT) at Orlando Army Airfield.
Known sub-bases and auxiliaries:
The airfield was used by the 10th Fighter Squadron (Special), which initially flew P-40 Warhawks at the airfield from 4 January 1943 - 29 January 1944. The airfield was used to train pilots in ground intercept missions. In July 1943, the squadron converted to P-51 Mustangs. Zephyrhills AAF was also used as a standby landing strip for other USAAF aircraft flying in the area, such as those from MacDill Field and Drane Field.
After the 10th Fighter Squadron deployed to Ninth Air Force in England, it was replaced by the 372d Army Air Forces Base Unit, which continued with the conduct of fighter pilot training.
Closure
The military use of the airport ended on 31 October 1944 and jurisdiction of the airfield was transferred to Air Technical Service Command (ATSC), whose mission was the transfer of any useful military equipment to other bases around the country. Under ATSC, buildings and equipment were sold and any useful military equipment was transferred to other bases around the country. The base was declared as surplus in 1946 and was turned over to the War Assets Administration (WAA) for disposal and return to civil use.
In 1947 the airport was deeded to the city, which has run it ever since.