page_title: Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport
section_title: Amarillo Field/Amarillo Army Airfield (1942–1946)
hierarchical_section_title: Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport / History / Amarillo Field/Amarillo Army Airfield (1942–1946)
caption_attribution_description: English: Nighttime maintenance training on a B-17 at Amarillo Army Airfield
context_page_description: Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport is a public airport six miles east of downtown Amarillo, in Potter and Randall Counties, Texas, United States. The airport was renamed in 2003 after NASA astronaut and Amarillo native Rick Husband, who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in February of that year.
context_section_description: In the midst of WW II, Col. Edward C. Black was transferred from his command of Sheppard Field, and ordered to activate an Air Corp Technical School ten miles east of Amarillo, next to English Field.  The purpose of the center was to train Flying Fortress mechanics and technicians.  Black established his headquarters in the Amarillo Building and construction started on 20 April.  The new site was designated Amarillo Field on 26 May.  Over 25,000 trees and shrubs were planted and grass sown in an attempt to control soil erosion and dust clouds.  The field was manned on 2 Sept. students arrived on 3 Sept., Black's HQ staff moved in on 6 Sept., and instruction started on 7 Sept.  Brig. Gen. Julian B. Haddon assumed command on 22 Oct. and held an open house for Amarillo residents on 11 Nov., Armistice Day, with over 40,000 attending.  On 2 Dec. the name was changed to Amarillo Army Air Field.  The first class of students graduated on 23 Dec., with Maj. Gen Jacob Fickel in attendance. Basic training was added in May 1943, training Army Air Forces personnel in the fundamentals of soldiering.
  Though most students entered the training without any mechanical training, but the 76 day primary course followed by a 36-day specific course, ensured they were experts upon graduating.  Classes were in session around the clock.  Students became familiar with mechanics tools, and the structure of the B-17, which included a B-17 cutaway, and a complete B-17 composed of parts from five different previously scrapped airplanes.  In addition, aircraft instruments, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, aircraft engines, and fuel systems repair and replacement are covered, including complete engine overhaul.  This was in addition to regular military drill and calisthenics.  Students were allowed one day off per week.
  B-29 flight engineer training started in 1944.  This was the first AAF aircraft requiring such a crew member.  The engine control panel was located behind the pilot, and the engineer adjusted the throttle, fuel mixture, supercharger, and propellor pitch for each engine.  In addition, the flight engineer computed the aircraft range, fuel consumption, engine performance, weight and balance, and airworthiness.  Aircraft mechanics were trained in either the B-29, or the B-17.  After 10 May 1945, only B-29 training was offered.
  The base was established in April 1942 as a basic training centre and technical school for flight engineers as part of the Fourth Technical Training District and the first students began training there in September 1942. In mid-October 1945 all training stations were transferred to the Eastern Technical Training Command which was redesignated Technical Training Command. The base was closed on 30 June 1946.
caption: Nighttime maintenance training on a B-17 at Amarillo Army Airfield
exif: {}