This week on June 14th, we celebrated the 241st birthday of the U.S. Army. To commemorate this occasion, our intern Kirsten would like to share a bit of the history regarding the Army post here in Fairbanks, Fort. Wainwright.
In the years leading up to WWII, Alaska’s delegates to Congress had argued without success that it was important to fortify Alaska and Hawaii. Brigadier General Billy Mitchell, believed Alaska was the “the most strategic place in the world” and Lieutenant Colonel Henry H. “Hap” Arnold thought, “air defense is national insurance…the flying machine, one of the finest vessels of air commerce, can be turned into the deadliest weapon of war.” The nation had been slow to recognize the threat from Germany and Japan or the way aviation was redefining national security.
Finally, in 1939, Congress approved $4 million to begin building a cold weather test station in Fairbanks, Alaska. This station was to be known as Ladd Army Air Field and was an important landmark in WWII. It served as the Cold Weather Test Station, Air Transport Command and was the main transfer point along the Alaska-Siberia Route (ALSIB) during the Lend Lease program (1942-1945).
In the years leading up to WWII, Alaska’s delegates to Congress had argued without success that it was important to fortify Alaska and Hawaii. Brigadier General Billy Mitchell, believed Alaska was the “the most strategic place in the world” and Lieutenant Colonel Henry H. “Hap” Arnold thought, “air defense is national insurance…the flying machine, one of the finest vessels of air commerce, can be turned into the deadliest weapon of war.” The nation had been slow to recognize the threat from Germany and Japan or the way aviation was redefining national security.
Finally, in 1939, Congress approved $4 million to begin building a cold weather test station in Fairbanks, Alaska. This station was to be known as Ladd Army Air Field and was an important landmark in WWII. It served as the Cold Weather Test Station, Air Transport Command and was the main transfer point along the Alaska-Siberia Route (ALSIB) during the Lend Lease program (1942-1945).
Ladd Army Field in 1944.
By September 1940, the first plane, an O-38 flown by Gaffney, landed on the runway. Cold weather testing ensued that winter and proved to be a challenge for both the men and aircraft. Challenges for the aircraft included frozen wings, brakes, windshields, broken heaters, iced cockpits and controls.
The men were also responsible for testing out cold weather clothing and related survival gear. It was important that the clothing be suitable for working in the cockpit and not freeze the pilot if he found himself in fresh snow or bitter wind. Sheepskin jackets didn’t work for the aircrew when working in cramped quarters, which led to the development of down coats, which were more flexible and comfortable. Gaffney also designed a heated pilots suit that would plug into the cockpit.
The Army collaborated with civilian engineers and scientists making rapid progress in technical development and production of aircraft operations in temperatures as cold as forty below.
The men were also responsible for testing out cold weather clothing and related survival gear. It was important that the clothing be suitable for working in the cockpit and not freeze the pilot if he found himself in fresh snow or bitter wind. Sheepskin jackets didn’t work for the aircrew when working in cramped quarters, which led to the development of down coats, which were more flexible and comfortable. Gaffney also designed a heated pilots suit that would plug into the cockpit.
The Army collaborated with civilian engineers and scientists making rapid progress in technical development and production of aircraft operations in temperatures as cold as forty below.
Ladd Army Airfield was a very modern facility for the time. It featured modern utilities, which was rare considering the prevalent permafrost in Fairbanks. The solution to this problem was to lay the electric, water, steam, sewer and phone lines in underground tunnels that connected all the buildings. These underground tunnels doubled as hallways for people to traverse during the -40 degree winters.
The Japanese attack on Dutch Harbor in 1942 caused a temporary halt in the Cold Weather Testing Detachment. Many of the men were sent to fight as part of the Aleutian Campaign.
The Japanese attack on Dutch Harbor in 1942 caused a temporary halt in the Cold Weather Testing Detachment. Many of the men were sent to fight as part of the Aleutian Campaign.
The final check on Douglas A - 20 Havoc attack bomber before take-off to Siberia. Photo from the UAF Archives, Kay J. Kennedy Aviation Photograph Collection, UAF-1991-98-850.
Planes lined up outside of Hangar 1 awaiting flight to Russia. Ladd field also played a significant role in the Lend Lease program, which supplied the Allied Russian Forces with trucks, combat vehicles, planes, and other items such as engines and equipment. For quick transit, planes were sent from Great Falls, Montana to Ladd Field in Fairbanks, where they would then be taken over by the Soviet Pilots to Russia. This route became known as the ALSIB (Alaska Siberia) Route. Five A-20 bombers, the first of the Lend Lease planes, arrived at Ladd Field September 3, 1942. During the course of the war, nearly 8,000 planes were transferred through Fairbanks, the sky seemingly in a constant hum.
 Hangar 1 today at Fort Wainwright. | After the war, Ladd Field became an important Cold War Base with air defense, reconnaissance, and an Arctic research station. In 1961, the Army took over the airfield and was renamed after Jonathan M. Wainwright. The missions for the base have changed but Fort Wainwright still supports military aviation and Hangar 1 still resides as a historic landmark. |
For more information visit:
The World War II Heritage of Ladd Field
Guide to Ladd Field, National Historic Landmark
The World War II Heritage of Ladd Field
Guide to Ladd Field, National Historic Landmark
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