Near Selma in Dallas County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Craig Air Force Base
Advanced Flying Training School
Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 24, 2016
1. Craig Air Force Base Advanced Flying Training School Marker
Inscription.
Craig Air Force Base. Advanced Flying Training School. On May 3. 1941, the largest flying field in the United States, military or civilian, opened its gates as a new unit of the Southeast Air Corps Training Center, where flying cadets received advanced schooling in the handling of multi-mile-a-minute pursuit planes. So it was the history of Craig Field began. It ended with the graduation of the UPT Class 77-08 on August 12, 1977, and the departure of the last official aircraft, a T-38 flown by Gen. John W. Roberts, commander of the Air Training Command. But in the 37 years and one week of its life, in excess of one million hours of flying time were logged, beginning with the AT-6 of 1941. including the T-37, and ending with the T-38. More than 30,000 students flew into the "wild blue yonder" from its runways. During aerial combat of World War II, Korea and Vietnam Craig graduates defended their country with valor. And there were many who touched the face of God. , The history of Craig Air Force Base is ended, but the pride and integrity of the 29th Flying Training Wing and its people live on.
On May 3. 1941, the largest flying field in the United States, military or civilian, opened its gates as a new unit of the Southeast Air Corps Training Center, where flying cadets received advanced schooling in the handling of multi-mile-a-minute pursuit planes. So it was the history of Craig Field began. It ended with the graduation of the UPT Class 77-08 on August 12, 1977, and the departure of the last official aircraft, a T-38 flown by Gen. John W. Roberts, commander of the Air Training Command. But in the 37 years and one week of its life, in excess of one million hours of flying time were logged, beginning with the AT-6 of 1941. including the T-37, and ending with the T-38. More than 30,000 students flew into the "wild blue yonder" from its runways. During aerial combat of World War II, Korea and Vietnam Craig graduates defended their country with valor. And there were many who touched the face of God.
The history of Craig Air Force Base is ended, but the pride
and integrity of the 29th Flying Training Wing and its people live on.
Location. 32° 21.577′ N, 86° 59.095′ W. Marker is near Selma
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, Alabama, in Dallas County. Marker is at the intersection of 5th Street and Avenue B, in the median on 5th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5th Street, Selma AL 36701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Craig Air Force Base Marker looking toward U.S. Highway 80.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 24, 2016
3. View of current Craig Field control tower in very far background.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 24, 2016
4. Former Craig AFB security entrance gate.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 24, 2016
5. Former 29th Flying Training Wing at Craig AFB
Served Here With Distinction
1940 - 1977
Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,455 times since then and 101 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 24, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
