Courtland Army Airfield

Courtland Army Airfield
Former Courtland Army Airfield, 28 December 1949
IATA: none ICAO: none
Summary
Airport type	Military
Owner	Lawrence County Commission
Serves	Courtland, Alabama
Elevation AMSL	588 ft / 179 m
Coordinates	34°39′34″N 087°20′56″W / 34.65944°N 87.34889°W / 34.65944; -87.34889Coordinates: 34°39′34″N 087°20′56″W / 34.65944°N 87.34889°W / 34.65944; -87.34889
Map
Courtland AAF Location of airport in Alabama
Runways
Direction Length Surface ft m 13/31 4,994 1,522 Concrete 17/35 4,994 1,522 Concrete
Source: Federal Aviation Administration

Courtland Army Airfield is a former United States Army facility located two nautical miles (4 km) northeast of the central business district of Courtland, a town in Lawrence County, Alabama, United States.

Following the onset of World War II, the United States faced a challenging goal to train upwards of 75,000 to 100,000 pilots per year. It was recognized that to achieve this goal, many new training fields would have to be constructed - hundreds across the country. Due to the climate allowing year-round flight instruction, as well as the low airways congestion, North Alabama was considered to be a good location for one of the new Army Air Force training fields. Following a review by a site selection board, Courtland was chosen to receive this facility. It was considered the best overall site of three evaluated within the North Alabama region.

Selection took place and the land acquired in April 1942. Construction was rapid given the emergency wartime conditions and within three months the post was to be in full operation. The airfield consisted of four concrete runways 5000×150(N/S), 5000×150(NE/SW), 5000×150(E/W), 5000×150(NW/SE). Also many taxiways, landing aids, and an extended length parking apron. Auxiliary airfields to support the training activities at the base were:

In addition to the airfield, the building of a large support base with several hundred buildings, numerous streets, a utility network, was carried out with barracks, various administrative buildings, maintenance shops and hangars. The station facility consisted of a large number of buildings based on standardized plans and architectural drawings, with the buildings designed to be the "cheapest, temporary character with structural stability only sufficient to meet the needs of the service which the structure is intended to fulfill during the period of its contemplated war use" was underway. To conserve critical materials, most facilities were constructed of wood, concrete, brick, gypsum board and concrete asbestos. Metal was sparsely used. The station was designed to be nearly self-sufficient, with not only hangars, but barracks, warehouses, hospitals, dental clinics, dining halls, and maintenance shops were needed. There were libraries, social clubs for officers, and enlisted men, and stores to buy living necessities. The buildings, together with complete water, sewer, electric and gas utilities built within a short span of approximately 8 months, with the air field officially being activated in December 1942 as Courtland Army Air Field (CAAF). Courtland was assigned to the Southeast Training Center of the Army Air Force Training Command. It was commanded by the 446th Army Air Force Base Unit.