Langley Army Airfield

Airfield
media-37651.jpeg UPL 37651 Langley Army Airfield
1920

Object Number - UPL 37651 - Langley Army Airfield 1920

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Detailed History

In 1916, the National Advisory Council for Aeronautics (NACA), predecessor to NASA, established the need for a joint airfield and proving ground for Army, Navy and NACA aircraft. NACA determined that the site must be near water for over-water flying, be flat and relatively clear for expansion and the landing and take-off of aircraft, and near an Army post. The Army appointed a board of officers who searched for a location. The officers sometimes posed as hunters and fishermen to avoid potential land speculation which would arise if the government's interest in purchasing land was revealed. Fifteen locations were scouted before a site near Hampton in Elizabeth City County was selected.[7]





Langley Field in 1920

In 1917, the new proving ground was designated Langley Field for one of America's early air pioneers, Samuel Pierpont Langley. Langley had first made tests with his manned heavier-than-air craft, launched from a houseboat catapult, in 1903. His first attempts failed and he died in 1906, shortly before a rebuilt version of his craft soared into the sky.[7]

Training units assigned to Langley Field:[8]

5th Aviation School Squadron, June 1917

Re-designated as 119th Aero Squadron, September 1917; Detachment No. 11, Air Service, Aircraft Production, July 1918-May 1919

83d Aero Squadron (II), March 1918

Re-designated as Squadron "A", July–November 1918

126th Aero Squadron (II) (Service), April 1918

Re-designated as Squadron "B", July–November 1918

127th Aero Squadron (II) (Service), April 1918

Re-designated as Squadron "C", July–November 1918

Flying School Detachment (Consolidation of Squadrons A-C), November 1918-November 1919

Several buildings had been constructed on the field by late 1918. Aircraft on the ramp at that time included the Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny", used by Langley's School of Aerial Photography, and the de Havilland DH.4 bomber, both used during World War I. Although short-lived, hydrogen-filled dirigibles played an important role in Langley's early history and a portion of the base is still referred to as the LTA (lighter-than-air) area.[7]

Inter-war years[edit]

In the early 1920s, Langley became the site where a new air power concept was tried and proven. Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell led bombing runs from Langley by the 1st Provisional Air Brigade over captured German warships anchored off the coast of Virginia and North Carolina. These first successful tests set the precedent for the airplane's new role of strategic bombardment.[7]





YB-17 Flying Fortress bomber crew receiving instructions at Langley, May 1942

Throughout the 1930s Langley Field occupied a principal position in the Army's efforts to strengthen the offensive and defensive posture of its air arm. The small grassy field became a major airfield of the United States Army Air Corps, and many of the brick buildings of today were constructed at that time.[7]

World War II[edit]

At the outbreak of World War II Langley took on a new mission, to develop special detector equipment used in antisubmarine warfare. Langley units played a vital role in the sinking of enemy submarines off the United States coast during the war.[7] The field was also used for training purposes.

Cold War[edit]

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 2nd Bomb Group 49th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 2nd Bomb Group 96th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 2nd Bomb Group 49th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 2nd Bomb Group 20th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 2nd Bomb Group

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes

Langley Army Airfield: Gallery (3 items)