Dunnellon Army Air Field Dunnellon Army Airfield , was a World War II United States Army Air Forces airfield , located east of Dunnellon , Florida . History . Originally set on 500 acres ( 2 km² ) that was purchased in 1942 by Marion County . It was opened in August 1942 as Dunnellon Army Airfield . The new base was designated as a sub - base to the Orlando Army Airbase , and assigned to the Air University Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics ( AAFSAT ) tactical combat simulation school in Central and Northern Florida . AAFSAT used the base as its Air Support School . Once sufficient construction was completed , the I Troop Carrier Command 10th Troop Carrier Group was moved from Pope Field , North Carolina , as a combat cargo training unit . Pilots and aircrew received training in advanced combat simulation based on what could be expected in the overseas combat theaters in short field landings , cargo drops and other tactics . In addition , personnel received training in towing British - designed Horsa glider and gilder pilots received training in advanced combat flying . Graduates saw duty in North Africa , Europe , and the China - Burma - India Theater in this capacity . As part of the training , Canal Air Force Auxiliary Field , ( ) was used for rough short field dirt landings and takeoffs . By the end of 1943 , the Troop Carrier training was ended and the 10th TCG moved to Lawson Army Airfield , Georgia to support Army airborne forces at Fort Benning . In mid - 1943 , AAFSAT reassigned the 420th Night Fighter Squadron , a night fighter Operational Training Unit ( OTU ) to Dunnellon due to overcrowding at Kissimmee Army Airfield . It ' s mission to train pilots with night fighting skills for defensive missions against enemy night intruder aircraft . The squadron was equipped with modified Douglas A - 20 Havoc s for night fighter operations , designated P - 70s . Night fighter training was undertaken until January 1944 , when the USAAF program was reassigned to IV Fighter Command , and the school was moved to Hammer Field , California . Third Air Force . The Air University training mission ended in mid - 1944 , when Dunnellon was officially reassigned to III Fighter Command . Under Third Air Force , Dunnellon was assigned to the Commando Squadron Training School . Initially , the Liaison Squadrons of the 2d Air Commando Group were formed at the base in mid June . However , it was decided to consolidate the Liaison training at Cross City Army Airfield , where they were moved after being organized and equipped . Instead , Dunnellon was returned to the Troop Carrier mission by forming and training Commando Troop Carrier squadrons . Two C - 47 Skytrain squadrons , earmarked for Burma were trained in combat flying and techniques during the summer of 1944 . Closure . The Commando training was the last large - scale use of Dunnellon AAF . The 342d Airborne Squadron was assigned as a caretaker unit in September 1944 and the flying mission wound down . The number of personnel were reduced , being reassigned to other bases . In January 1945 , Third Air Force sent down orders to close the facility , and it was placed on inactive status on 1 February 1945 . Jurisdiction of the airfield was transferred to Air Technical Service Command ( ATSC ) , whose mission was the transfer of any useful military equipment to other bases around the country . Under ATSC , buildings and equipment were sold and any useful military equipment was transferred to other bases around the country . The base was declared as surplus in 1946 and was turned over to the War Assets Administration ( WAA ) for disposal and return to civil use . Subsequently , the airfield was returned to civil control and the Dunnellon / Marion County Airport was re - established . Major units assigned . Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics < BR > AAF Interceptor Command School Third Air Force Other units stationed at Dunnellon during the war included the 894th Airborne Engineers , 805th Medical Air Evacuation Unit , and the 898th Guard Squadron .