Near Lewistown in Fergus County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Training Building

Lewistown Satellite Airfield Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 18, 2019

1. Training Building Marker

Inscription. During World War II, many aircrews came to Lewistown for the final phase of their training. Here they logged an average eight hours of ground school for every hour of flying time. In this building the men studied aircraft identification, learned first aid and emergency procedures, listened to veteran combat pilots’ experiences, and viewed government training films featuring stars like Ronald Reagan and Allan Ladd. The building also housed three Link Trainers, fully equipped simulated cockpits. Edwin A. Link invented the first simulator in 1928 to lessen expensive flying time while students learned visual skills on the ground. After U.S. airmail planes suffered a series of crashes in 1934, the Army Air Corps began requiring all pilots to take Link training. On the trainers, pilots learned to rely on instruments while flying. The Japanese Imperial Navy also used the Link Trainer, which meant that pilots on both sides of the conflict trained to fight each other using the same system. Most other airbase buildings had outside facilities, but because the men spent so much time here, the training building had it own inside restroom.

Erected by The

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Montana National Register Sign Program.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #40 Ronald Reagan, and the Montana National Register Sign Program series lists.

Location. 47° 2.885′ N, 109° 27.37′ W. Marker is near Lewistown, Montana, in Fergus County. It is on East Aztec Drive near Rimby Drive, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lewistown MT 59457, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically entral Montana in Russell Country. It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pre-War Hangar (within shouting distance of this marker); Camouflage Building (within shouting

Training Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 18, 2019

2. Training Building and Marker

The marker is next to the electrical box.

distance of this marker); Quartermaster Warehouses (within shouting distance of this marker); All Purpose Shop (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Armament Building (about 500 feet away); Crew Chief Building (about 500 feet away); Recreation Building (about 600 feet away); Lewiston Satellite Airfield Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewistown.

More about this marker. This marker is located at the former Lewistown Satellite Airfield, now the Lewiston Municipal Airport.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 405 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 16, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.