You might be surprised to learn that Alaska was quite active during World War 2. In fact, the list of airfields built in Alaska during the war years is quite an impressive one. Well, at Aces High we aren’t surprised because World War II is our life and we devour this information so we can make Aces High the best combat flight simulator on the market.
Since much of the European Theater was fought in mountainous terrain with cold temperatures, Alaska was the perfect location for training flight crews and pilots. The colder temperatures allowed for training to occur in simulated conditions so that gear and equipment could be tested before being used in actual combat.
Here, then, is a partial list of the airfields built in Alaska from 1941-1945 and what they are used for today.
- Akak Army Airfield; now Naval Air Station Adak
- Amchitka Army Airfield; now Amchitka Air Force Bace, currently abandoned.
- Alexai Point Army Airfield; now closed and abandoned.
- Casco Cove Coast Guard Station; now the same.
- Annette Island Army Airfield; now Annette Island Airport
- Todd Army Airfield; now Bethel Airport
- Big Delta Army Airfield; now Fort Greely
- Cordova Airport; now Cordova Municipal Airport
- Gakona Landing Strip; now part of Alaska Highway 1.
- Galena Airport; now part of the Alaskan Air Command
- Gambell Army Airfield; now Gambell Airport
- Juneau Airport; now the same
- Kiska Island AAF; now closed.
- Ladd Army Airfield; now part of Alaskan Air Command
This is just a partial list; we will complete the list next week as we continue this series. What perhaps is the most interesting fact about the airfields built in Alaska is that a fairly high proportion of them are no longer in use. That is highly unusual as we tour the airfields built during WW2. We have spoken earlier about the fact that the investment made during the 40’s has paid back many times over because most of these airfields are being used for civilian use today. Not so in Alaska! Perhaps because of the brutal weather or the remote location, but whatever the reason many of these airstrips are no longer in use.
Whatever the reason, the point still remains that a massive civilian and military effort was made in Alaska to prepare pilots and flight crews for the war.
We hope you are enjoying this series about airfields. Every bit of information that we can gather helps us to make Aces High that much better of a flight sim game. Our goal, after all, is to make the best World War 2 Flight Simulator on the market.
