Kelly Field (formerly Kelly Air Force Base ) ( IATA : SKF , ICAO : KSKF , FAA LID : SKF ) is a Joint-Use facility located in San Antonio , Texas . It was originally named after George E. M. Kelly , the first member of the U.S. military killed in the crash of an airplane he was piloting.
127-451: In 2001, pursuant to BRAC action, the former Kelly AFB runway and land west of the runway became "Kelly Field" and control of this reduced size installation was transferred to the adjacent Lackland Air Force Base , part of Joint Base San Antonio . The base is under the jurisdiction of the 802d Mission Support Group, Air Education and Training Command (AETC). Kelly Field was one of thirty-two Air Service training camps established after
254-412: A pun on Black Friday ). After an extensive series of public hearings, analysis of DoD-supplied supporting data, and solicitation of comments from the public, the list of recommendations was revised by the 9-member Defense Base Closure and Realignments Commission in two days of public markups and votes on individual recommendations (the proceedings were broadcast by C-SPAN and are available for review on
381-596: A Franco-American pipe-fitter and a Boston -born nurse. At age 18, he used his older brother's birth certificate to enlist in the Army to support the Spanish–American War , but arrived in Puerto Rico just weeks before the armistice was signed. As an engineer, he fought off the rampant tropical diseases, and after five months, was shipped home and mustered out. On June 17, 1899, Foulois enlisted again, using his own name, as
508-508: A board of aviators to investigate safety concerns and make recommendations. Foulois, along with Captain Townsend F. Dodd and Lieutenants Walter R. Taliaferro , Carleton G. Chapman , and Joseph E. Carberry , condemned not just the Wright C, but all "pusher" aircraft as unsafe on February 16, 1914, and those remaining in the Army inventory were ordered to be immediately grounded. The following month,
635-611: A combat position. When the War Department offered him only a staff job, he demurred and opted to devote his energies to New Jersey Civil Defense. He continued to write and speak for 17 years from his home in Ventnor City, New Jersey . His wife Elisabeth grew very ill and Foulois had difficulty paying for her care. Generals Carl Spaatz and Ira Eaker interceded with Air Force Chief of Staff, General Thomas D. White , to allow Foulois to live at Andrews Air Force Base. In return he would tour
762-881: A combined savings of $ 12 billion annually. The Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 , passed after the 1947 reorganization of the National Military Establishment , reduced the number of U.S. military bases, forts, posts, and stations. The subsequent 1950s buildup for the Cold War (e.g., during the Korean War ) resulted in large numbers of new installations, such as the Permanent System radar stations and Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) control centers . By 1959, plans for even larger numbers of Cold War installations were canceled (e.g., DoD's June 19, 1959, Continental Air Defense Program reduced
889-653: A cross-country flight, they accidentally shut off the engine, and in trying to restart it, crashed into the Rio Grande . Neither was injured and the airplane was eventually repaired and returned to Collier. Foulois was joined in April by three students from the Curtiss Aviation School in San Diego, including Capt. Paul W. Beck and Second Lt. George E. M. Kelly , to form a provisional "aero company" created April 5, 1911, by
1016-707: A distance of 2,500 miles. The plane was airborne 210 hours and 41 minutes. Some trouble was experienced, but the 31 civilian technicians from the San Antonio depot successfully repaired the XC-99 at Dover AFB. Jet engines had become extremely important to the Air Force by 1955. The Boeing B-47 Stratojet bomber was the first full weapons system bomber. Designed in 1945, the B-47 was powered by six General Electric J47 turbojet engines and featured swept-back wings and tail surfaces. Its mission
1143-537: A glee club, a minstrel show, and the "Famous Kelly Field Players," a club of professional vaudeville entertainers in uniform. Many clubs traveled around the South Texas area and gained fame for the morale-building shows. At the end of the war, the Army Air Service , along with the rest of the Army, faced crucial reductions. Thousands of officers and enlisted men were released, leaving only 10,000 men to fly and repair
1270-770: A private in the Regular Army and was assigned to the 19th Infantry , where he ultimately achieved the rank of first sergeant, with service in the Philippines on Luzon , Panay , and Cebu . He was commissioned as a second lieutenant on July 9, 1901. Foulois returned to the United States in 1902 and transferred to the 17th Infantry . This regiment served in the Philippines from 1903 to 1905, and Foulois served in Manila , Cottabato, and Mindanao , where he participated in engagements against
1397-828: A shipment of aviation officers arrived under Brigadier General Benjamin Foulois, over one hundred in number, almost none of whom had ever seen an airplane. … As rapidly as possible, the competent men, who had learned their duties in the face of the enemy, were displaced and their positions taken by these carpetbaggers." Foulois responded: "... this extract is proof of Mitchell's disregard for facts" and "While Mitchell had every right to have an opinion about me and my staff, his attitude toward us made our jobs doubly difficult. The seeds of insubordination had already been sown when I relieved him, and his memoirs prove how distorted an opinion he had of himself as an expert on air matters." Creation and deployment of tactical squadrons lagged badly behind
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#17330846282771524-571: A speed and striking the ground with a wingtip when he attempted a turn. In any event, the army shut down all aviation training at Fort Sam Houston and sent pilots and airplanes to College Park, Maryland , where its first aviation school was about to commence. Beck was ordered there as the instructor on the Curtiss machine in June, but Foulois remained on duty with the Maneuver Division until July 11, when he
1651-532: A stroke at age 87, and was buried in his hometown of Washington, Connecticut . Foulois had worked for 18 months with Carroll V. Glines on a biography of his life, though he died before the publicity tour could take place. The book, titled From the Wright Brothers to the Astronauts , was published in 1968. The biography was republished in 1980 for sale to libraries; only 400 copies were produced. A new edition of
1778-604: A tent and thereby possibly injuring several others, Kelly died in a crash, falling into the ground. In August 1913, U.S. Army Chief Signal Officer Brigadier General George P. Scriven testified before the U.S. House of Representatives concerning the establishment of a military aeronautical center in San Antonio , Texas. The center was to be built for the Aviation Section of the U.S. Army Signal Corps. General Scriven described San Antonio as “the most important strategic position of
1905-450: A valuable collection of German aviation knowledge. However, he wrote: "I only hoped that it was being put to good use in America. To my eternal regret, it wasn't. The lack of an air intelligence collection system, inexperience on the part of the military intelligence officers in regard to aeronautics, and a lack of appreciation for the potential value of the fruits of German genius caused much of
2032-570: A week later carrying another 62,000 pounds. Every place the XC-99 landed, newspaper, radio, and television reporters were there to convey to the public the excitement of the spectacular flight. Another record-breaking flight took place during May 1955. The XC-99 was put to the test in support of PROJECT DEWLINE. In conjunction with the Military Air Transport Service (MATS), the XC-99 airlifted 380,000 pounds of cargo to Keflavik Airport , Iceland from Dover Air Force Base , Delaware,
2159-847: The 1938 crisis over Czechoslovakia . Adolf Hitler and the Luftwaffe (the German Air Force) demonstrated that air power had become an important factor in international relations. President Franklin D. Roosevelt recognized the significance of the Luftwaffe's role and took the first steps toward United States rearmament. In 1939, Congress authorized $ 300 million for the Air Corps. Hundreds of new planes, officers, and enlisted men made their way to Kelly. Besides money for new equipment and more personnel, funds became available for construction of sorely needed barracks, offices, classrooms, and warehouses. Many of
2286-809: The Armistice , November 11, 1918, Foulois served with Patrick on the Supreme War Council, assisting Patrick and Colonel Edgar S. Gorrell draft the air clauses of the Treaty of Versailles . Upon his return to the U.S. in July 1919, Foulois was assigned to the Office of the Director of Air Service at Washington, D.C., in charge of the Air Service Liquidation Division, responsible for the settlement of war claims against
2413-473: The Army Air Corps Mail Operation , and making misleading statements to Congress. Chairman William N. Rogers called for the resignation of Foulois and threatened to hold up Air Corps appropriations. Although he carried his fight to the public through the media with the backing of Secretary of War George Dern , Foulois decided to retire "for the good of the service," asserting that he did so that
2540-745: The Berlin Airlift was the C-54 Skymaster cargo aircraft, and Kelly was the only depot in the country repairing and overhauling replacement Pratt and Whitney R2000 engines used on the aircraft. By December 31, the Supply Division had shipped 1,317 R2000 engines worth $ 1.7 million for the airlift. The outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950 found Kelly once again responding almost overnight. The Kelly maintenance line went into full-steam production to recondition Boeing B-29 Superfortresses that had been in storage for overseas service. Work continued into
2667-762: The Frear subcommittee hearings on aviation during the war, and before the Senate Military Affairs Subcommittee considering the Crowell Commission report (which advocated an independent air force) in October. He testified with stinging accusations toward the Army General Staff and Franklin D. Roosevelt , the assistant Secretary of the Navy. Having stirred up Washington, Foulois heard that a military attaché
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#17330846282772794-622: The House Armed Services Committee rejected calls by the Pentagon for base closures outside of a 2015 round by a 44 to 18 vote. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta had called for two rounds of base closures while at the same time arguing that the alternative of the sequester would be a "meat-ax" approach to cuts which would "hollow out" military forces. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 specifically prohibits authorization of future BRAC rounds. In May 2014, it
2921-524: The Lake Lanao Moros, successfully hunting down and defeating combatant tribal leaders, and as topographical officer for the regiment, participated in surveying and mapping expeditions. Foulois attended the Infantry and Cavalry School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas , from September 1905 to August 1906. In 1907, he married Ella Snyder van Horn, the daughter of Colonel James Judson van Horn. Assigned to attend
3048-469: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) six aircraft - two F-102s, two TF102s and two T33s - so the astronauts at Houston's Manned Spacecraft Center could maintain their flying proficiency. Two years later, Directorate of Maintenance workers built three Apollo capsule trainers for NASA. And Kelly's Directorate of Aerospace Fuels supplied NASA with the required liquid propellants from
3175-451: The Navy considered cutting 34 military installations. The 1991 Base Realignment and Closure Commission included: The 1993 Base Realignment and Closure Commission included: The 1995 Base Realignment and Closure Commission included: The Pentagon released its proposed list for the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission on May 13, 2005 (a date given the moniker "BRAC Friday,"
3302-738: The San Antonio Air Logistics Center , is operated by the Greater Kelly Development Authority (a political subdivision of the State of Texas, now renamed the Port Authority of San Antonio) as the Port San Antonio business park. As of 2006, there are still some isolated USAF activities on Port San Antonio subordinate to Lackland, as well as a substantial tract of military family housing. Several large warehouses on
3429-531: The Thomas Scott Baldwin airship as the winner of the trial, Foulois was selected as the first military crewman. He took his first flight on August 18 as engineer-pilot, while Baldwin controlled the rudder at the aft end. Foulois' first aviation assignment was duty with the Aeronautical Division, U.S. Signal Corps , where he operated the first dirigible balloon of the U.S. government. The crash of
3556-573: The Wright Military Flyer , procured at the same time by the Army on its final test flight, September 17, 1908, claimed the first US military airplane fatality, First Lt. Thomas E. Selfridge , and also injured Orville Wright. After one year, Foulois had concluded through his experience, understanding of military dirigibles in Europe, and talks with Tom Baldwin , that no military future existed for lighter-than-air aircraft. In expressing this opinion to
3683-724: The AEF Third Air Instructional Center, Issoudun Aerodrome , France for advanced pursuit training. In addition to the flying school at Kelly Field, Selfridge Field , Michigan was also used for pilot training, and the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC), operated flying schools for American pilots in Toronto , Ontario and several fields at Camp Taliaferro , Texas. The thousands of enlistees who came to Kelly devised numerous ways to entertain themselves during their infrequent time off. Among these organizations were
3810-920: The Advanced Flying Training Wing and the Advanced Flying School) was formed at Kelly Field #2 in 1922. There, student pilots mastered the advanced skills of pursuit, bombardment, attack, and observation. Most of the Army aviators trained between the two World Wars attended this school. Charles Lindbergh , the first man to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic, graduated from the Advanced Flying School in 1925. Other graduates included former Air Force Chiefs of Staff Generals Thomas D. White , Curtis E. LeMay , John P. McConnell , Hoyt Vandenberg , and John Dale Ryan . Major General Claire Chennault of World War II " Flying Tiger " fame taught at
3937-471: The Air Corps during the Air Mail scandal of 1934. Under pressure from President Roosevelt, Foulois committed the service to delivering the mail without consulting Chief of Staff Douglas MacArthur , while knowing that the Air Corps was ill-equipped and untrained to fly in winter conditions. At the time, commercial air carriers derived stable income from carrying the U.S. mail. Allegations of a conspiracy to defraud
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4064-461: The Army General Staff, Foulois recommended no more purchases of dirigibles, the first of his many disagreements with the military establishment. The Wright brothers spent 10 months following the fatal crash in making engineering improvements to the airplane. By July 1909, Orville was ready to complete the acceptance test for the Signal Corps. On July 30, 1909, Foulois' first flight in an aeroplane
4191-628: The Army Signal School in the class of 1906-1907, he was recalled to his regiment in September 1906 for duty with an expeditionary force in Cuba during the Second Occupation of Cuba . His experience in surveying in the Philippines led to reassignment to the chief engineer of the force to perform military mapping. He was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the Signal Corps on April 30, 1908, assigned to
4318-496: The Army adopted as its standard to be a military pilot the licensing requirements of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which ruled on June 26, 1912 that he met, issuing FAI Certificate No. 140. In the meantime, the Army published its own pilot qualification standards on April 20, 1912, and Foulois became the third army pilot to be rated a military aviator , on July 13. In October 1912, Foulois
4445-671: The Aviation General Supply Depot moved to the field from its old location in downtown San Antonio . Many of the American-trained World War I aviators learned to fly at Kelly field, with 1,459 pilots and 398 flying instructors graduating from the Kelly aviation schools during the course of the war. Flight training units assigned to Kelly Field: Once deployed to France, most of the Kelly Field graduates were sent to
4572-477: The B-52 workload to Oklahoma City AMA at Tinker Air Force Base in the spring of 1993. The 36-year-old relationship between Kelly and the big bomber was the longest association between any Air Force weapons system and a single ALC to that point. Americans have always looked to the future, but the future of Kelly's involvement in space have been a "now" responsibility for more than 25 years. In August 1962, SAAMA "loaned"
4699-526: The Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission. The BRAC is an independent nine-member panel appointed by the President. This panel evaluated the list by taking testimony from interested parties and visiting affected bases. The BRAC Commission had the opportunity to add bases to the list and did so in a July 19, 2005, hearing. The Commission met its deadline of September 2005 to provide the evaluated list to
4826-419: The Curtiss machine after its engine failed at 300 feet. A week later, flying the same airplane after its repair, Kelly was killed trying to land minutes into his qualification flight. Foulois blamed Beck for improper repairs to the craft, and also questioned his ability to command, but the investigating board, of which both Foulois and Beck were members, ruled that Kelly's death resulted from landing at too high
4953-555: The First World War. Over 3,000 Kelly civilians resigned or retired within weeks of V-J Day . Nevertheless, more and more AT-6, P-51, and B-29 aircraft were delivered to Kelly for maintenance and storage. Disposal and aircraft storage programs took up more and more of Kelly's time and space. Kelly's maintenance workers stopped repairing very heavy bombers and began supporting the occupational forces in Europe and Japan with air transportation, communications, and weather systems. In 1946,
5080-613: The General Staff, no parade, and no aircraft fly-by. He accurately warned of the buildup of German air power, and the need to build a strong air force and to take defensive measures to protect the East Coast. Prior to World War II, he ran New Jersey's civil defense program. In 1941, Foulois ran as a Republican for New Jersey's 2nd congressional district , losing to four-term Democratic incumbent Elmer H. Wene . When World War II broke out he would have returned to active duty if offered
5207-726: The German Aeronautical Scientific Society and the Aero Club of Germany. During his time in Berlin, he met Elisabeth Shepperd Grant, a Philadelphian working as a translator in the American Embassy, and married her two weeks before his return to the United States in 1924. Foulois gathered the equivalent of a railroad boxcar full of valuable documents, drawings, technical bulletins, magazines, books, blueprints and reports. By having talked with more than 180 individuals, he had
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5334-456: The Instructor's School. In order to house the rapidly growing pilot trainee population, a "tent city" sprang up as it had in World War I. By the summer of 1942, congestion caused by the close proximity of four flying fields - Duncan, Kelly, Brooks, and Stinson - had become dangerous. Consequently, in March 1943, Kelly and Duncan were reunited under the name of Kelly Field. Kelly Field's primary functions became that of maintenance and supply. This
5461-406: The Mackey Trophy for the most meritorious military flight of 1931. On December 19, 1931, following Fechet's retirement, he was appointed Chief of the Air Corps by President Herbert Hoover , which carried the rank of major general. Foulois had already appeared before Congress on 75 occasions to testify on military matters. During the next four years, he was in constant communication with Congress on
5588-409: The Maneuver Division in anticipation of training 18 more pilots. Beck, like Foulois, was dual-commissioned in the Signal Corps and being senior, took command of the company, an action that Foulois resented. Friction and mutual rivalry with the new pilots also existed because they had no experience on the Wright machine, instead being trained on the Curtiss Military biplane. On May 3, 1911, Beck crashed
5715-447: The President, who approved the list with the condition that it could only be approved or disapproved in its entirety. On November 7, 2005, the approved list was then given to Congress, who had the opportunity to disapprove the entire list within 45 days by enacting a resolution of disapproval. This did not happen, and the BRAC Commission's recommendations became final. The 1988 Base Realignment and Closure Commission included: In 1990,
5842-495: The Roaring Twenties, and the pilots at Kelly were happy to provide the thrills and air spectacles the public loved. Kelly hosted the National Elimination Balloon Race in 1924 and welcomed thousands of San Antonians to see the lift-off, aerial demonstrations, and other exploits of "derring-do." But perhaps no event matched the production of the Hollywood film Wings in 1926. Kelly hoped to make motion picture history by providing pilots, aircraft, extras, and technicians to assist in
5969-442: The S.C. No. 1 with the first seat belt, using a four-foot leather cinch obtained from the cavalry saddlery. According to Foulois: "The second flight I made after crashing the first time I took it up I got almost thrown out; landed; the artillery officer came up there and I told him, Fred, I wanted to get a belt to keep me in that damn plane. He said, whaddya want? and I said a strap about four feet long, something I can lash myself to
6096-443: The San Antonio Air Technical Services Command became the San Antonio Air Materiel Area (SAAMA). In July 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act , which, among other things, created an independent United States Air Force . Over the next few years, the youngest of the armed services separated itself from the Army way of doing things. In January 1948, Kelly Field became Kelly Air Force Base . By June 1948,
6223-445: The South,” in response to the unrest resulting from the Mexican Revolution . In 1916, when Fort Sam Houston was the primary site of the Corps’ aerial equipment and personnel, The San Antonio Light predicted that the city would be “the most important military aviation center in the U.S.” In November 1915, the newly created 1st Aero Squadron arrived at Fort Sam Houston after a cross-country flight from Fort Sill , Oklahoma. However,
6350-447: The Soviet Union, in a move to push the Allies out of Berlin, closed all water, rail, and highway links to the western part of the city. Forced to choose between abandoning West Berlin or supplying all goods by air, the western powers began around-the-clock airlift of vital supplies and material into the beleaguered city. The airlift, nicknamed "Operation Vittles", became the largest air cargo operation of all time. The prime workhorse of
6477-404: The Supreme War Council, and commandant of the Army Aeronautical Schools. Resentment of Foulois's staff, with 112 officers and 300 enlisted men, most inexperienced and recently commissioned nonflying officers, led to strong criticism from Brigadier General Billy Mitchell , who commanded the Air Service Zone of Advance. In his memoirs, Mitchell wrote: "Just when things had begun to work smoothly,
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#17330846282776604-429: The U.S. or overseas. The majority of Aero Squadrons were combat support squadrons. Kelly Field served as the first reception and classification center, testing thousands of recruits before assigning them to specific jobs and squadrons for training. The Air Service Mechanics School Enlisted Mechanics Training Department turned out an average of 2,000 mechanics and chauffeurs a month. Kelly also trained bakers and cooks, and
6731-420: The U.S. provide 4,500 trained pilots by the spring of 1918, which would require 4,900 training aircraft and 12,000 combat planes. The appropriation signed on July 24, 1917, was for $ 640 million, the largest for a single purpose in the history of Congress. On the same date, Foulois was promoted from major to the temporary rank of brigadier general, to enable him to oversee this responsibility. In October 1917, he
6858-426: The U.S. was still at war with Germany. Foulois found that the Adlon Hotel bar in Berlin was frequented by many aviation cognoscenti. By sharing food and Allied whisky, Foulois was able to obtain a large amount of aviation intelligence from German pilots who included Ernst Udet and Hermann Göring . After gaining the confidence of these sources, Foulois was invited to join the two top aviation organizations in Germany:
6985-401: The United States entry into World War I , being established on 27 March 1917. It was used as a flying field; primary flying school; school for adjutants, supply officers, and engineers; mechanics school, and as an aviation general supply depot. Kelly Air Force Base and its associated San Antonio Air Logistics Center of the Air Force Materiel Command (formerly Air Force Logistics Command )
7112-408: The United States gathered much of the Regular Army in South Texas as a show of force to Mexican revolutionaries, forming the " Maneuver Division ". On March 3, 1911, Foulois and Parmalee made the first official military reconnaissance flight (without crossing the border), looking for Army troops between Laredo and Eagle Pass, Texas , with a ground exercise in progress. Two days later, returning from
7239-432: The United States. Just as quickly as he had been promoted to general officer rank, he was reduced along with thousands of other officers to his permanent establishment rank of captain, Infantry. He received promotion to major on July 1, 1920, when the Army Reorganization Act took effect, and transferred in grade to the Air Service , which the act had made a combat arm , on August 11. In August 1919, Foulois appeared before
7366-558: The Wright brothers, but the CSO instead sent Foulois to Nancy, France , in September 1909 as a delegate to the International Congress of Aeronautics, possibly as a result of resentment of his outspoken criticism of the dirigible. He returned on October 23 to College Park, Maryland, where Wilbur Wright had begun training Lahm and Lieutenant Frederick E. Humphreys . Humphreys made the first military solo in an airplane on October 26, 1909, followed by Lahm. Although not contractually obligated to do so, Wilbur took Foulois up and allowed him to handle
7493-423: The ability and experience to supervise air battles and create a high fighting spirit, exemplified by the battle of Chateau-Thierry . Three months later, when a major loss of coordination between offensive units and replacement units occurred at Toul, Foulois again requested relief from his position, this time to again be in charge of Air Service logistics, to straighten out the snarled lines of communication before
7620-411: The advanced phase and combined with primary. At that point, primary-basic changed to eight months in length and advanced to four months. In June 1927 General Lahm suggested the construction of a single large field outside of the city to house all flying training. Congress funded the new field's construction but not the purchase of the land, so the city of San Antonio borrowed the $ 546,000 needed to purchase
7747-421: The air will undoubtedly take place while the opposing armies are maneuvering for position... He forecast the replacement of the horse by the airplane in reconnaissance , and wireless air-to-ground communications that included the transmission of photographs. As a result, the CSO selected Foulois for the aeronautical board designated to conduct the 1908 airship and airplane acceptance trials. After having selected
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#17330846282777874-488: The aircraft had been destroyed, as the airplane could not contend with the high altitude, severe weather, and dry atmosphere. Brigadier General William "Billy" Mitchell and Foulois clashed bitterly over the years. Both were ambitious, strong-willed, independent thinkers, but Mitchell came from a wealthy family and was the son of a United States Senator . Foulois came from a middle-class family, and impressed his peers with his willingness to roll up his sleeves and work with
8001-453: The airplane, the Signal Corps decided to seek a more favorable climate location for flying during the winter. Foulois was directed to report to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, where he was directed by CSO Allen to "teach yourself to fly." He did so, and at 9:30 a.m. on March 2, 1910, on the Arthur MacArthur parade field made four flights on S.C. No. 1, which included his first solo takeoff, first solo landing, and first crash. Over
8128-453: The biography, re-titled Foulois: One-Man Air Force , emerged in 2010. As one of the longest living of the first military pilots, Foulois saw the beginning of the Apollo Program – a direct legacy of his many career “first” milestones. He remains one of the most significant figures in the development of U.S. air power. Asked how to say his name, he told The Literary Digest "Rhymes with to cloy: foo-loy'. " ( Charles Earle Funk , What's
8255-479: The board drew up specifications for a tractor-configured training airplane. On November 19, 1915, Foulois led the 1st Aero Squadron cross-country flight of six Curtiss JN3s from Post Field, Fort Sill, Oklahoma , to Ft Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, intended as the site for the first permanent base of the Aviation Section , the San Antonio Air Center. In 1916, Pancho Villa crossed into New Mexico and killed 17 Americans. In response, Brig. Gen. John J. Pershing
8382-403: The challenges of the future. By 1951, the Convair B-36 Peacemaker intercontinental bomber began arriving in ever-increasing numbers at Kelly. With its powerful R4360 engines, the B-36 rapidly took the place of the B-29. The B-36 was radical in its design; its six pusher engines gave it a top speed of over 400 miles per hour, and it was the first American bomber capable of reaching any target on
8509-426: The conflict in Southeast Asia, working both within the United States and overseas. In May 1965, during the build-up of American forces in Vietnam, the Logistics Command started sending teams of supply personnel to the Pacific Air Forces . Kelly had a lot of volunteers. By 31 December 1965, SAAMA had sent 11 supply teams, totaling 89 personnel, on temporary duty to Southeast Asia to establish supply centers throughout
8636-510: The controls, then turned him over to Humphreys for instruction. Foulois totaled 3 hours and 2 minutes at the controls, virtually equaling the flight time of Humphreys and Lahm, but did not make any landings, nor did he solo. On November 5, Humphreys and Lahm cartwheeled S.C. No. 1 during landing, damaging the rudder and necessitating replacement of a wing, at a time when neither Wright brother was available. In addition, both officers were recalled to their branches of service. While waiting to repair
8763-414: The development of the first "blind flying" curriculum at the Advanced Flying School and won Crane the Mackay Trophy . Public enthusiasm for "those daring young men in their flying machines" encouraged Army pilots to display their skill in an effort to gain public acceptance of the airplane as an ever-capable instrument for American's expanding society. Air circuses and balloon races were exciting events in
8890-405: The early 1960s, the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress was the major depot-level maintenance workload for SAAMA. Modifications to the B-52s performed at Kelly increased the load capability of each plane and increased the aircraft's range. In addition, the San Antonio shops camouflage-painted the B-52Gs for Southeast Asia Arc Light operations. This era in Kelly's history ended when the Air Force shifted
9017-519: The end of the most recent BRAC commission report, its former chairman Anthony Principi wrote, "Now is the time to do what's right for our men and women in uniform. Spending dollars on infrastructure that does not serve their needs is inexcusable." The following is a chronological timeline of authorizations for U.S. Congressional legislation related to U.S. defense installation realignments and military base closures. Benjamin Foulois Benjamin Delahauf Foulois (December 9, 1879 – April 25, 1967)
9144-495: The facilities built during this period remain in use today. The present Officer's Club (originally built for cadet housing) and the Air Logistics Center headquarters building (originally used for classrooms) were constructed to meet the increased demand for facilities during this period of expansion. In the summer of 1942 Duncan Field and Kelly Field merged to form Kelly Field, due to the congested flying conditions caused by
9271-563: The facility was rapid, with the United States now at war and the mission of the new airfield was to train aviators to be sent to the Western Front in France. The ground was cleared and scores of buildings - hangars, barracks, mess halls, a street system, electrical and plumbing systems, warehouses, machine shops were all constructed during the summer. By the end of June, it was clear that Foulois' original site, known unofficially as Kelly Field #1,
9398-409: The fall of 1917 at the suggestion of British and French aviators who were of the opinion that being so close together, would result in accidents and collisions. Kelly soldiers organized approximately 250,000 men into "Aero Squadrons" during the hectic months of 1917 and 1918. Eventually, 326 squadrons were formed at Kelly during World War I, with all but twenty of these moving to other installations in
9525-496: The filming of this World War I epic. Clara Bow (the famous " It Girl "), Buddy Rogers , and Richard Arlen starred in this silent movie classic which was filmed in and around San Antonio. A young newcomer, Gary Cooper , had a bit part in the film. Wings received the first Academy Award for " Best Production of the Year " for 1927–1928, the first (and until 2011, the only) silent film ever to win this honor. In 1927 basic moved out of
9652-520: The fleet. Following that, the apparent invincibility of long range Martin B-10 bombers against the slower Boeing P-12 pursuit planes led Foulois and the Air Corps leadership to begin the development of long-range bombers in 1933. Without this foresight, the development of the B-17 's and B-24 's, essential to eventual separation of the Air Force from the Army, would not have taken place. Foulois served as Chief of
9779-482: The focus could return to the vital task of building the Air Force in the face of a resurgence in German airpower. His retirement date coincided with the end of his four-year term as Chief of Air Corps, and existing law allowed him to retire at his temporary rank of major general. Foulois officially left active duty December 31, 1935, after 36 years of service. In spite of his remarkable career, he departed with no farewell from
9906-416: The four flying fields in close proximity (Duncan, Kelly, Brooks and Stinson) had reached dangerous levels. Other facilities built during the construction boom included the unique Miniature Range building, then used for aerial observation training, and the "Palace", a huge complex of enlisted quarters, dining halls and offices. Originally called "Buckingham Palace", the building received its nickname because it
10033-420: The future of the Air Corps, during a time when economic hardships were forcing severe budget cuts. While this initially resulted in a solid base of support from supporters of aviation, it eventually proved a two-edged sword: when he lost their support in 1934–1935, his position as Chief of Air Corps became untenable. Coast defence had traditionally been a primary function of the Army, with the line of demarcation
10160-792: The globe. R4360 engines also powered the Convair XC-99 . Convair built this one-and-only transport in 1947 to use the technology of the B-36 more effectively. As the largest cargo plane to-date, the XC-99 set many world records between 1953 and 1955, before the Air Force decided it did not need large transport planes. The longest flight — 12,000 miles to Rhein-Main Air Base in West Germany ;— began on 13 August 1953. Carrying 61,000 pounds of vital cargo, it flew to West Germany via Kindley Air Force Base , Bermuda and Lajes Field , Azores and returned
10287-442: The government in these contracts resulted in assignment of all air-mail delivery to the Air Corps, beginning on February 19, 1934, and lasting through May 17, 1934. The 1,500,000 miles (2,400,000 km) flown by the Air Corps pilots, with insufficient training, equipment, funding, and experience, resulted in numerous fatal crashes. Foulois became the middleman in a political battle between the commercial aviation owners, Congress, and
10414-502: The grounds of Port San Antonio were cleared, cleaned, and equipped with large mobile air conditioning units to house evacuees from Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita in September 2005. Kelly Field is named in honor of 2nd Lieutenant George Edward Maurice Kelly . Lt. Kelly, who after a course of training at the Curtiss Aviation School, Rockwell Field , California, was ordered to Fort Sam Houston , near San Antonio. While attempting to land on 10 May 1911 in order to avoid running into
10541-580: The major offensives in the fall. He also recommended that Mitchell replace him as Chief of Air Service, First Army. Foulois briefly became Assistant Chief of Air Service, Zone of Advance, but that position was eliminated when the Service of Supply created a forward headquarters near the front in addition to its main headquarters in Tours, and Foulois became the Assistant Chief of Air Service, Service of Supply. After
10668-454: The material I sent to end up unopened in a warehouse and later sent to the trash heap." After many years, Foulois achieved his desire to command a flying unit, and was assigned command of Mitchel Field , Long Island , New York , in 1925. The same year, Billy Mitchell was convicted in a court-martial, which resulted in his resignation in February 1926. In December 1927, when James E. Fechet
10795-449: The mechanics. Moreover, Mitchell had been senior to Foulois until their mutual service in France, and would be again following the war. Both played an important role in the development of the independent Air Force, but Mitchell worked by swaying public opinion, while Foulois preferred to make direct testimony to Congress, with often controversial verbal attacks against the military establishment. From March to September 1917, General Foulois
10922-601: The military. Foulois later wrote that the "fiasco" was just as historically significant as the first flight or the first air combat mission. He argued that its lasting effect helped identify the needs of the peacetime Air Corps and the Baker Board's recommendation for a GHQ Air Force, which was implemented in March 1935. The 1934 Rogers Subcommittee investigation into improper contracting and procurement awards charged Foulois with violations of law in awarding contracts, mismanagement of
11049-399: The network's website). The Commission submitted its revised list to the President on September 8, 2005. The President approved the list and notified Congress on September 15. The House of Representatives took up a joint resolution to disapprove the recommendations on October 26, but the resolution failed to pass. The recommendations were thereby enacted. The Secretary of Defense must implement
11176-575: The new overhaul workload. On May 26, 1958, SAAMA opened the B-58 Logistics Support Management Office. It became the forerunner of a major area organizational realignment whereby worldwide weapons management functions would be separated organizationally from the internal depot operations. Responsibilities outlined for the weapon system manager included budgeting, funding, computing requirements, and arranging for maintenance. Kelly repaired and overhauled B-52s for over 30 years. In
11303-403: The next 15 months, Foulois modified S.C. No. 1's elevators at the instructions in correspondence from Orville Wright, and demonstrated the use of the Wright B aircraft for aerial mapping, photography, and reconnaissance, and the use of the radio while airborne. To end the requirement of using a 60-foot launch rail to take off, he drew up plans for and installed wheels in place of skids, and equipped
11430-646: The night by use of special outdoor lighting. The aircraft production line earned the nickname of the "Great White Way" as the glow of lights reflected on the aluminum skin of the bombers and lit up the evening sky. When the fighting subsided in Korea in July 1953, Kelly workers had once again proven their commitment to meet whatever challenges faced them. As the Air Force moved through its first decade of independence, its aircraft, engines, accessories, and support equipment became increasingly sophisticated and complex, requiring use of new technologies and innovative programs to meet
11557-451: The number of Super Combat Center underground nuclear bunkers to 7). In 1958, U.S. Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) began to replace Strategic Air Command bombers. From 1960 to 1964, the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations closed 574 U.S. military bases around the world, particularly after President John F. Kennedy was briefed after his inauguration that the missile gap
11684-454: The office of the Army's chief signal officer (CSO), Brig. Gen. James Allen, and sent to complete Signal School, which he did in July 1908. His final thesis was The Tactical and Strategical Value of Dirigible Balloons and Aerodynamical Flying Machines , within which he demonstrated prescience in such statements as this: In all future warfare, we can expect to see engagements in the air between hostile aerial fleets. The struggle for supremacy in
11811-637: The permanent military establishment.” Kelly Field No. 2 was allocated $ 349,600 of this amount. In 1921, the aviation repair depot in Dallas moved to Kelly to join with the supply depot, forming the San Antonio Intermediate Air Depot. Brooks Field became the center for primary training and Kelly for advanced training. Each phase of instruction lasted about six months initially, with advanced training later divided into three months each of basic and advanced instruction The 10th School Group (later
11938-463: The planes and engines left over from the war. Hundreds of small flying fields closed, forcing consolidation of supply and aviation repair depots. Kelly, however, was one of the few that remained open. On 13 December 1919, the United States House of Representatives passed an appropriations bill for $ 9.6 million for the purchase of additional land at military camps “which are to be made part of
12065-557: The range of its coast artillery guns. The range of aircraft ostensibly confused the issue and opened a competition between the Air Service and Naval Aviation for the mission, and thus for further development of its service. A compromise reached between the Chief of Naval Operations and General Douglas MacArthur in January 1931 gave the land-based Air Service the mission, while the Navy was to defend
12192-610: The recommendations no later than September 15, 2011. Major facilities slated for closure included: Major facilities slated for realignment include: Twenty-six bases were realigned into 12 joint bases , with each joint base's installation support being led by the Army , the Air Force, or the Navy. An example is Joint Base Lewis–McChord , Washington, combining Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base . The 2005 Commission recommended that Congress authorize another BRAC round in 2015 and every eight years thereafter. On May 10, 2012,
12319-630: The schedule Foulois had promised Pershing, and the supply situation for the Air Service was not improving. Friction between Foulois' nonflying staff and the aviators in command of the instruction schools and the combat squadrons grew to the point of extreme inefficiency. In April 1918, Foulois tried to enforce a cooperative spirit from his own staff without success. In May, he requested relief from his position as Chief of Air Service and recommended to General Pershing that Mitchell should be replaced. Pershing appointed Major General Mason M. Patrick to replace Foulois, who then became Patrick's assistant. Foulois
12446-494: The school. In 1925, Kelly Field #1 was renamed Duncan Field in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Duncan. Formerly stationed at Kelly Field, Duncan died in an airplane accident at Bolling Field in Washington, D.C.. Kelly Field #2 became simply, Kelly Field . Both fields conducted their training, maintenance, command, and supply functions separately for the next 18 years. Low pay and worn-out planes and equipment did not halt
12573-503: The seat with. That was the first safety belt invented." As the result of repeated crashes and repairs, many caused by Foulois being "ground shy" (the result of his having no formal training in landing an airplane), S.C. No. 1 became unflyable, and in February 1911 the Army leased a Wright Model B from Robert Collier . Because Foulois was unfamiliar with the type, the Wright Company sent Philip O. Parmalee to instruct. In early 1911,
12700-469: The site selected for what became Randolph Field . By the fall of 1931, construction was essentially completed, so the Air Corps Training Center at Duncan Field, adjacent to Kelly, and the primary schools at Brooks and March moved to the new installation, while advanced training remained at Kelly. Suffering from a chronic lack of funds, the Air Corps' struggle for better aircraft continued until
12827-499: The site was called the South San Antonio Aviation Camp. On 5 April 1917, four aircraft took off from Fort Sam Houston, flew across San Antonio and landed on the new airfield, which at the time was a cleared cotton field. Tents had been erected as hangars, however, a permanent presence at the airfield was not established until 7 May when 700 men arrived. A week later, the population had grown to 4,000. Construction of
12954-510: The small band of mechanics and fliers from proving their professional dedication. Army personnel pushed forward the frontiers of aeronautics in the 1920s. The aircraft used for Jimmy Doolittle 's 1922 transcontinental flight received preflight servicing at Kelly #1. Kelly #2 was Doolittle's sole refueling stop during the flight itself. In 1926, Kelly was the starting point of the Pan American Goodwill Flight. Their air excursion
13081-600: The squadron remained at the post only until March 1916, whereupon it left to join Brigadier General John J. Pershing ’s Punitive Expedition against Pancho Villa on the U.S.-Mexico border. Problems experienced by the 1st Aero Squadron on that expedition and the ongoing war in Europe persuaded Congress to improve and expand the nation's air arm. It was quickly apparent that Fort Sam Houston had inadequate space for additional flying operations, especially with newer and more powerful aircraft. Major Benjamin Foulois , with
13208-586: The support of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, selected a site five miles southwest of the city for a new aviation airfield on 21 November 1916. Bordered by the Frio City Road on the northwest, the site was also adjacent to the Southern Pacific Railroad , providing easy access by road and rail. In addition, the new site was relatively flat, and thus suitable for flying operations. Initially,
13335-692: The very beginning of the Space Administration's push into space. Kelly's workload remained relatively stable until the mid-1960s, when American efforts to prevent the fall of the South Vietnamese government led to direct American involvement. Following the Gulf of Tonkin incident in August 1964, all air materiel areas began supporting Southeast Asia on a 24-hour basis. For the next 11 years, Kelly employees were deeply involved in supplying parts and expertise for
13462-624: The western Pacific, including South Vietnam . Base Realignment and Closure Base Realignment and Closure ( BRAC ) was a process by a United States federal government commission to increase the efficiency of the United States Department of Defense by coordinating the realignment and closure of military installations following the end of the Cold War . Over 350 installations have been closed in five BRAC rounds: 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995, and 2005. These five BRAC rounds constitute
13589-431: The world as a senior spokesman to promote Air Force issues. Thus, in his eighties he traveled 500,000 miles (800,000 km) by air, emphasizing national security to the men and women of the U.S. Air Force at home and overseas. In 1963, Foulois appeared on the television quiz show I've Got a Secret , where his secret was that he had once been the entire U.S. Air Force . General Foulois died on April 25, 1967, following
13716-501: Was a United States Army general who learned to fly the first military planes purchased from the Wright brothers . He became the first military aviator as an airship pilot, and achieved numerous other military aviation "firsts". He led strategic development of the Air Force in the United States. Benjamin "Benny" Delahauf Foulois was born on December 9, 1879, in Washington, Connecticut , to
13843-534: Was a 175-day adventure to "show the flag", with five planes and 10 pilots landing at 23 Central and South American countries. Captain Ira C. Eaker , Commander of the 8th Air Force during World War II and a Kelly graduate, was one of the pilots of that enterprise. Much of the pioneering work of Major William Ocker and Captain Charles Crane in the field of instrument flying took place at Kelly. Their efforts resulted in
13970-595: Was a major change in mission for Kelly as flying training moved elsewhere. Kelly's World War II mission turned the base into a huge industrial complex. A new organization, the San Antonio Air Service Command , managed the increased supply and maintenance workload at would become the San Antonio Air Logistics Center in later years. Kelly workers overhauled, repaired, and modified aircraft, engines, and related equipment. When World War II ended in August 1945, America demobilized as rapidly as it had after
14097-425: Was appointed Chief of Air Service, First Army, with Mitchell still his subordinate, made chief of Air Service I Corps. The ensuing change of command and the unceasing bitterness between the two men continued. Foulois asserted in his memoirs that while he felt Mitchell was openly insubordinate, disloyal to his superiors, and constantly deviating from the military chain of command in giving orders, Mitchell also possessed
14224-573: Was attempted to fund another round of BRAC, although funding was not approved in a vote in May of that year. In March 2015, the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment addressed the possibility of a future BRAC, indicating that the DOD, Defense Secretary Ash Carter was requesting authority to conduct another BRAC. In September 2015, at the tenth anniversary of
14351-575: Was charged with the responsibility for the production, maintenance, organization, and operations of all American aeronautical material and personnel in the United States. In March, he worked with Major General George Squier , who was the CSO, and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics to detail plans for appropriations of $ 54 million to support 16 aero squadrons, 16 balloon companies, and nine aviation schools. The French government requested
14478-782: Was closed as an independent installation and its assets realigned by the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure Commission . Kelly Field supports flight operations of two tenant commands, the Air Force Reserve Command 's 433d Airlift Wing , operating the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and the Texas Air National Guard 's 149th Fighter Wing , operating the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon . The remaining 1,873 acres (758 hectares) of land, including hangars and industrial facilities previously known as
14605-428: Was directed to pursue Villa into Mexico , and Foulois was ordered to take eight airplanes to provide reconnaissance and communication. On 15 March 1916, Foulois and the 1st Aero Squadron arrived at Columbus, New Mexico , for duty. On 16 March, Foulois flew as the observer with Dodd on the first American military reconnaissance flight over foreign territory (overflying Mexico in search of Villa). Within eight weeks, six of
14732-483: Was needed in Europe with aviation expertise. He was sent in April 1920 to The Hague as assistant air attache, with observer duties in Berlin. At the same time his wife asked him for a divorce, which was decreed in 1921. (Ella Foulois later became the wife of General Harry Gore Bishop ). Since the United States had not yet ratified the Treaty of Versailles, the allies would not share any intelligence with Foulois, and technically
14859-522: Was not a concern. The Defense Base Realignment and Closure Act of 1990 provided "the basic framework for the transfer and disposal of military installations closed during the base realignment and closure (BRAC) process". The process was created in 1988 to reduce pork barrel politics with members of Congress that arise when facilities face activity reductions. The most recent process began May 13, 2005, when Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld forwarded his recommendations for realignments and closures to
14986-494: Was officially constituted as a unit of the Signal Corps. In January 1914, the organization of the squadron was approved by the CSO and Foulois became commanding officer of its 1st Company, comprising three Burgess aircraft and 26 enlisted men. Later in 1914, Foulois became squadron commander. The Aeronautical Department experienced a spate of fatal accidents in 1912 and 1913, most involving the Wright Model C airplane, and convened
15113-564: Was promoted to Air Corps Chief, Foulois began a four-year tour as one of the three Assistant Chiefs of the Air Corps, which carried with it a temporary rank of brigadier general, including a year as Chief of the Materiel Division at Wright Field , Dayton, Ohio , from June 1929 to July 1930. In May 1931 he commanded the Air Corps exercises, leading an armada of 672 airplanes, coast-to-coast defense flights, combat competition and large scale attacks. The leadership of this exercise earned Foulois
15240-591: Was reassigned to the Militia Bureau in Washington, DC. Foulois was assigned as Officer In Charge, Signal Corps and Corps of Engineers Units in the Organized Militia. On April 29, 1912 his Signal Corps commission was discharged and he was nominally returned to the Infantry, but remained with the Militia Bureau, where he was able to continue flying periodically at the aviation school in College Park. In July 1911,
15367-521: Was returned to infantry troop duty under requirements of the "Manchu Law", otherwise known as the congressionally-mandated "Detached Service Law," and assigned to Fort Leavenworth with the 7th Infantry. Foulois was returned to aviation duty in November 1913, and detailed the next month to the Signal Corps Aviation School at North Island , San Diego , California , where the 1st Aero Squadron
15494-703: Was so much more "palatial" than the tents and crude wooden barracks the men had been living in. After the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, the need for more pilots, bombardiers, and navigators resulted in the rapid expansion of the United States Army's air arm and the Advanced Flying School. Night flying was added to the school program and the amount of training time doubled. Between January 1939 and March 1943, over 6,800 men graduated from Kelly's Advanced Flying School and approximately 1,700 additional pilots graduated from various other courses in
15621-505: Was the evaluation test flight from Fort Myer to Alexandria, Virginia . Pilot Orville Wright and navigator Foulois broke previous speed, altitude, and cross-country duration records, flying at 42.5 mph, 400 feet, and for 10 miles (16 km). The Army purchased this Wright Model A Military Flyer, which became "Signal Corps No. 1". The final condition of the contract was to train two pilots. Foulois and Lieutenant Frank P. Lahm were initially designated to take direct instruction from
15748-429: Was to deliver conventional or nuclear ordnance to enemy targets. On 30 November 1959, a B-47 bomber set a world endurance record, remaining airborne for three days, eight hours, and eight minutes, and covering a distance of 32,900 miles. After relegating the bomber to reconnaissance and training missions, the last Stratojets were taken out of the active United States Air Force inventory in 1966. The Convair B-58 Hustler
15875-472: Was too small to train both new recruits and aviation cadets. A committee of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce provided the necessary land and presented the proposition to the Aviation Production Board in Washington, D.C., in June 1917. A contract was signed in July 1917, comprising all of what was Kelly Field #2. Two additional tracts of land, planned to be Kelly Field #3 and #4 were released in
16002-591: Was transferred to France, and had the same responsibilities in France, the British Isles , and Italy . In November 1917, he became Chief of Air Service, American Expeditionary Force , and assumed additional duties as a member of the Joint Army and Navy Aircraft Committee in France; representative of the commander in chief, American Expeditionary Forces on the Inter-Allied Expert Committee on Aviation of
16129-437: Was yet another important addition to the Air Force inventory. As America's first supersonic bomber, it could range higher and faster than any other bomber aircraft in the world, flying at twice the speed of sound. Its four J79 engines produced over 41,000 pounds of thrust that could push the sleek bomber at more than 1,300 mph. The first B-58 arrived at Kelly on 15 March 1960 to be used for training maintenance personnel for
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