Watertown Army Air Field

(Side 1) “Opening in late 1942, Watertown’s Army Air Base was a satellite facility of a larger base at Sioux City, Iowa. It was a cold weather training facility for crews training to fly heavy bombers, such as B-17 ‘Flying Fortresses’ and B-24 ‘Liberators.’ It was also used as a weather station. The base contained accommodations for up to 450 personnel who flew practice-bombing missions, tested cold weather equipment, and learned to operate their aircraft.

By December 1943, most of the men stationed here were transferred elsewhere and only about 90 military personnel remained. The base continued in use, much as before, with a significant number of military aircraft still making use of its facilities while on cross-country flights. By the end of 1945, the Army returned control of the airport to the City of Watertown.

The numerous improvements made while it was under military control gave Watertown a first rate civilian airport for the postwar years. See map of the base on opposite site.” (Side 2) Map diagram and… “LEGEND 1. Post Road 2. Officers Quarters 3. Enlisted Men’s Barracks 4. Recreation Building 5. Enlisted Men’s Lavatory 6.

Crash Truck Station 7. Squadron Supply Building 8. Enlisted Men’s Mess Hall 9. Administration Building 10. Guard House 11. Armament Building LEGEND 12. Bomb Site Storage 13. Alert Building 14. Control Tower 15. Crew Chief’s Building 16. Hanger 17. Coal Storage 18. All Purpose Shop 19. Warehouses 20.

Officer’s Recreation Building 21. Pyrotechnics 22. Small Arms Magazine