Hello, dear viewers and subscribers! I want to thank you for your support and comments on the first part of this series. All military bases that are presented in this video were recommended by you. Please continue to leave comments and suggestions, I read them all and really appreciate them. Have a great day and enjoy the video!
I visited Amarillo AFB in the fall of 1980, twelve years after it closed. There wasn't much left; most of the buildings had been of the WWII "temporary" variety and had been torn down. My ex wife's uncle was grazing his cattle on the base. My boss at the time had gone through the last BMT class at Amarillo in 1968, right before it closed.
I think it is difficult for modern Americans to grasp just how large the United States' role was in WWII. Training fields sprang up all over the US, especially in areas that had long springs, summers and falls. Too often, the greed that accompanied the Base Realignment and Closure process transferred the land to developers who sought only profits from the conversion. I think of the millions of people who could have had either permanent or transitional housing; as well as vocational training from these abandoned sites. Thank you for the photo documentation.
I remember flying a T38 into Biggs and lining up with El Paso instead. It was yet another great learning moment. Sad to hear of Kelly shut down. Of the three bases in San Antonio, Kelly was the place to go. It had, hands down the best accommodations around. It was laid back, old world and chill.
Enjoyed checking out these 10 abandoned military bases in Texas Part 2.If I may offer one suggestion to your channel it would be to add RUclips Shorts in the near future.
1:39 Some USAF basic training was moved to Amarillo AFB in 1966-1968 due to a meningitis outbreak at Lackland AFB, San Antonio and an increase in manpower demands during Vietnam. This was temporary but a significant part of the base's history. The only time, post Korean war, USAF basic wasn't located at Lackland AFB.
Many ask why so much flight training in Texas. Easy there was lots of land to fly over and crash into without hurting anyone except maybe a groundhog. There weren’t as many wells pumping oil then.
I can only think of a handful of closed bases that have been developed into anything worthwhile. Some land grab. Fort Ord in CA sits on some of the most expensive real estate in the country. It was closed 30 years ago and still hasn't been developed.
Hello, dear viewers and subscribers!
I want to thank you for your support and comments on the first part of this series. All military bases that are presented in this video were recommended by you. Please continue to leave comments and suggestions, I read them all and really appreciate them. Have a great day and enjoy the video!
I visited Amarillo AFB in the fall of 1980, twelve years after it closed. There wasn't much left; most of the buildings had been of the WWII "temporary" variety and had been torn down. My ex wife's uncle was grazing his cattle on the base. My boss at the time had gone through the last BMT class at Amarillo in 1968, right before it closed.
I think it is difficult for modern Americans to grasp just how large the United States' role was in WWII. Training fields sprang up all over the US, especially in areas that had long springs, summers and falls. Too often, the greed that accompanied the Base Realignment and Closure process transferred the land to developers who sought only profits from the conversion. I think of the millions of people who could have had either permanent or transitional housing; as well as vocational training from these abandoned sites. Thank you for the photo documentation.
I remember flying a T38 into Biggs and lining up with El Paso instead. It was yet another great learning moment. Sad to hear of Kelly shut down. Of the three bases in San Antonio, Kelly was the place to go. It had, hands down the best accommodations around. It was laid back, old world and chill.
Biggs Army airfield is still open. While USAF may have left. The US Army still uses it
Enjoyed checking out these 10 abandoned military bases in Texas Part 2.If I may offer one suggestion to your channel it would be to add RUclips Shorts in the near future.
Thank you for your comment! I will for sure try to add shorts in the future inbetween posting full length videos!
My dad retired at Kelly in 76,
1:39 Some USAF basic training was moved to Amarillo AFB in 1966-1968 due to a meningitis outbreak at Lackland AFB, San Antonio and an increase in manpower demands during Vietnam. This was temporary but a significant part of the base's history. The only time, post Korean war, USAF basic wasn't located at Lackland AFB.
Midland Army Airfield and Rattlesnake Bomber Base were not mentioned. Why?
Part of Webb AFB is a Federal prison now, (FCI Big Spring).
Many ask why so much flight training in Texas. Easy there was lots of land to fly over and crash into without hurting anyone except maybe a groundhog. There weren’t as many wells pumping oil then.
The base realignment act was simply a land grab. Prime real estate, fire sale prices, what's not to like (gag)?
I can only think of a handful of closed bases that have been developed into anything worthwhile. Some land grab. Fort Ord in CA sits on some of the most expensive real estate in the country. It was closed 30 years ago and still hasn't been developed.
Not exploring, just talking while showing pictures!!