Walker Army Airfield

Walker Army Airfield
Part of Second Air Force
Located Near: Walker, Kansas
Aerial Photo of Walker AAF 6 October 1943
Walker AAF
Coordinates	38°53′40″N 099°06′05″W / 38.89444°N 99.10139°W / 38.89444; -99.10139 (Walker AAF)Coordinates: 38°53′40″N 099°06′05″W / 38.89444°N 99.10139°W / 38.89444; -99.10139 (Walker AAF)
Site history
Built	1942
In use	1942-1946

Walker Army Airfield (also known as Victoria-Pratt Airfield or Walker-Hays Airfield) is an abandoned airfield located north of Interstate 70 in Ellis County, 1 mile northwest of Walker, Kansas or 3 miles northeast of Victoria, Kansas.

Walker Army Airfield (AAF) is significantly historic as it was in the first group United States Army Air Forces B-29 Superfortress bases for initial training on the aircraft in the summer of 1943. Along with Pratt Army Airfield near Pratt, Great Bend Army Airfield near Great Bend and Smoky Hill Army Airfield near Salina the initial cadre of the 58th Bombardment Wing was formed. The 58th Bomb Wing was the first B-29 combat wing of World War II and engaged in the first long-range strategic bombardment of the Japanese Home Islands beginning in March 1944 from bases in India.

Walker AAF is a very large airfield that today is completely abandoned. It consisting of three runways (each approximately 8,800 ft long), taxiways and a large paved ramp area.

During World War II it was determined Smoky Hill Army Airfield (AAF) near Salina, Kansas needed assistance in processing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombardment crews for their shipment overseas. For this reason Walker AAF was constructed. Requisite land for the base was purchased by the government in fee simple from individual owners. Additional areas were leased from the Union Pacific Railroad for the location of storage yards. Other auxiliary facilities were acquired as needed. Three gunnery ranges were acquired in Ellis, Ness, and Gove counties, and three bombing ranges in Trego and Graham counties.