Amarillo Air Force Base and Airport – Legends of America
Amarillo, Texas, a city steeped in history and aviation lore, holds a unique place in the annals of American transportation. The story of Amarillo is inextricably linked to the iconic Route 66 and the evolution of its airport, a journey that began with humble beginnings and culminated in a bustling international hub. This narrative traces the transformation of a simple airfield into a vital military base and, ultimately, a significant component of the region’s commercial infrastructure.
From English Field to Amarillo Air Terminal: The Early Years
The narrative begins in the early days of Route 66, when the "Mother Road" was still a gravel path winding its way through the Texas Panhandle. This nascent highway traversed northwest from Conway, passing by English Field, a fledgling airport established in 1929 by the visionary Harold English. However, the area’s aviation history predates English’s involvement. As early as 1920, the Panhandle Aerial Service was already utilizing the space, offering charter flights and thrilling air stunts at various local events.
When Harold English took over in 1929, the airport was christened English Airport, and a period of growth and development began. It wasn’t long before Transcontinental & Western Air (TWA), a forerunner of the modern airline industry, inaugurated the first commercial airline service through Amarillo. Later, Braniff International, Continental Airlines, and Trans-Texas Airways (later known as Texas International) joined the fray, providing additional flights to destinations like Lubbock and Dallas. TWA and other carriers expanded their routes as the airport grew, connecting Amarillo to a wider network of destinations.
Amarillo Army Air Field: A Wartime Transformation
The landscape of Amarillo aviation changed dramatically in April 1942 with the establishment of the Amarillo Army Air Field adjacent to English Field. Under the command of Colonel Edward C. Black, the first troops arrived and initiated the construction of numerous buildings. Before the construction was even complete, the first classes began in September, training pilots and ground mechanics to service the formidable B-17 aircraft.
For the next several years, training programs expanded to include the even more advanced B-29 aircraft. The Amarillo Army Air Field played a crucial role in the war effort, contributing to the training of skilled personnel essential for the operation and maintenance of these vital warplanes. However, with the end of World War II, the base’s operations were curtailed, and it was officially closed on September 15, 1946. The buildings were either repurposed for peacetime uses or, in some cases, demolished.
Amarillo Air Force Base: The Jet Age Dawns
The post-war lull in military activity in Amarillo was short-lived. In March 1951, the facility was reactivated and renamed Amarillo Air Force Base, ushering in a new era of aviation training. The base became the first Air Force all-jet mechanic-training facility, a testament to the rapidly evolving technology of the time. The training programs included not only U.S. soldiers but also trainees from various foreign countries, highlighting Amarillo’s growing international significance.
Within a year, the program had reached its planned capacity of 3,500 students and continued to expand, reaching 5,000 by 1955. The base continued to develop, adding more technical training courses, including a missile-training department in 1957. A supply and administration school was relocated to the base from Wyoming the following year. In 1959, the base was redesignated as the Amarillo Technical Training Center when the 4128th Strategic Air Wing agreed with the Air Training Command. By May 1960, the jet-mechanic school had graduated approximately 100,000 students and trained thousands of others in administrative tasks, procurement, and supply, solidifying Amarillo’s reputation as a center for technical expertise.
Closure and Civilian Transition
Despite its success and vital role in military training, the winds of change began to blow in 1964 when the U.S. Department of Defense started making plans to close the base. In February 1966, it became the 3330th Basic Military School and graduated its last troops in December 1968. At the end of the month, the base was closed forever, much to the chagrin of Amarillo area businesses.
During its heyday, the base covered more than 5,000 acres and included a full-service hospital, a church, numerous training buildings, and housing for troops and officers.
In the meantime, adjacent English Field had also expanded, and by 1952, the name was changed to Amarillo Air Terminal. After the base was closed, the land was converted to civilian use, and much of it became part of the Amarillo Air Terminal. The primary runway, constructed by the Strategic Air Command base at 13,502 feet, was, for years, the longest commercial runway in the United States, and it is still used by military pilots today. Today, the length of the runway is surpassed only by the JFK International Airport in New York.
Legacy and Remembrance
The legacy of Amarillo Air Force Base lives on in various forms. In September 1970, the Amarillo branch of Texas State Technical Institute took over other facilities of the former base, which later became the east campus of Amarillo College. Housing units were sold to individuals, many of which remain in use today.
In 1976, the airport changed its name to Amarillo International Airport upon opening a U.S. Customs facility. In 2003, it was renamed again after fallen NASA astronaut and Amarillo native Richard Douglas Husband, who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in February 2003.
The extended runway, built for the Air Force base, bisected the original Route 66, which was rerouted into Amarillo. This old alignment is one of the few in Texas that cannot be traveled today. Mother Road enthusiasts must detour around the airport by traveling north to Highway 60 to join Amarillo Boulevard or return to I-40.
Old Route 66 ends at a high fence with restriction warnings. The best choice for continuing the journey is to travel north to Highway 60, where a couple of old service areas can be seen before the highway merges with Amarillo Boulevard, which continues to sport numerous old travel stops along its east end.
The original English Field terminal building was converted into an Air Museum in 1997, but after a decade, it closed in 2007, and its exhibits were sold. Today, a tour through the old Air Force base displays several old buildings in various states of deterioration. However, Amarillo College still uses many, though they’ve seen better days. The old base church is the best-kept building and still serves parishioners today.
Amarillo Air Force Base and the Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport stand as testaments to the city’s rich history and its continuing role in aviation and transportation. From its humble beginnings as a simple airfield to its transformation into a vital military training center and finally, a modern international airport, Amarillo’s aviation story is a captivating reflection of American innovation and progress.