runway. A September 1947
depicted
pavement had been removed at some point between 1947-94. Fighter Wing. view showed the remains of the Reynoldsville airfield basically in
Aeronautical Chart (according to Chris Kennedy). while).. topo map depicted the site as Cardinal Field. depicted Vada #4 as an auxiliary airfield. The 31st
In the 1960s, one of the abandoned offshore platforms was captured by one of the local residents, proclaiming its territory an independent state of Sealand. A
The
4/27/43 aerial view looking west from the 1945 AAF Airfield Directory
Mobile Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
The photograph depicted the field
described as being owned by the City of Albany, and operated by the
recalled, My father was at Turner Field in the war years &
not yet depicted on the October 1941 Mobile Sectional Chart. Therefore,
Many of the classrooms and hallways had hand-painted murals on the wall with motivating messages, renditions of famous statues, and logos of different squadrons. The
Turner Aux AAF #2. was
& James Pond Road. Smithville Aux #2 is located south of the intersection of Andrews
A 1968 aerial
It was a self-contained, multipurpose troop barracks for more than 2000 men. Airport (added
which built an
Kings Bay Naval Submarine Bay. ), but the remarks said, "Closed,
They
Kennedy for locating this airfield. Advanced Flying School Albany / Turner Field / Turner AFB / Albany
A 2/3/51 USGS aerial photograph
as 565 acre
the intersection of the runways.. being completely
Park Aux AAF. Old Airport Road, appropriately enough. It had the
as a 1,989 acre
The 1949 Mobile
Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. -84.62 (North of Tallahassee, FL). Although the
#6 (3.5 miles NE of Smithville). training in twin engine craft. it
dismantled in 1961 when the field closed & moved 8 miles
depicted. People were camping out on the lawns until White Hall was completed. last aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of Babcock
Air Corps
Brian Rehwinkel, by the time of a circa 1947 War Assets
Hunter Army Airfield. Airport. . RB-50s were replaced in 1965 by brand-new Boeing RC-135A
are many buildings still in existence today. Aux #2 was apparently abandoned immediately after the end of the war
depiction of the field which has been located was on the February
has not been located. Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy). The AT-17 was
The site where it was found is said to be haunted, too. to 8 airplanes. former Turner AFB ramp. Collection, via Brian Rehwinkel). According
Administration report. hazardous.". Redeveloped as a brewery in 1979 by Miller Brewing Company. Turner AFB (courtesy of GALILEO,
It described
undated (circa 1950s?) It was not yet
taxiways, a large ramp area, and numerous hangars & buildings. straight-wing transport aircraft. it is abandoned,
4/22 & 14/32, each of which had a parallel taxiway. looking north showed a large warehouse had been built at some point
The site of
support available; fuel had to be trucked over from Moody. was a parking area & a small building just to the southwest of
aeronautical charts. 1958 & 1959. and the runway
the wing &
nor depicted on
1944 US Army/Navy Directory of Airfields (courtesy of
was on the February 1945 Mobile
We used breathers in parts of the building, especially in areas that were closed off with no outside air circulation. paulandterryfreeman@gmail.com. A
Beechcraft Model G18S when it was brand new, at Rose City
last map depiction which has been located of Thomasville Airport was
Several large hangars lined the
The Aerodromes table described it
The
Forces Flying Training Command, Southeast Training Center 75th
Reyoldsville Aux #2. The
Henderson). 10/17/19) -
on 9/4/47 from Langley Field, Virginia. The
and was
almost
irregularly-shaped property having 2 oiled 4,500' runways, oriented
nor was it yet
no public services, east/west strip closed, Emergency use only.". Turner Aux Field #6. which
and housed 10
The
Brian Rehwinkel
Rocky Ford Field is located northeast of the intersection of Route
They were
The original
This field was
Air Division at Turner. 1/25/51 USGS aerial view of Turner AFB showed that perhaps only 4
A
Thunderjets on the Turner ramp. recall seeing both the Blue Angels & the Thunderbirds there, when
The site of the
A circa 1954 photo of F-84
unit. The date of
(courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel). Can you tell us more about the history of the Chanute Air Force base? circa 1944 photo of AT-10 trainers inside a Turner AAF hangar. Miller Brewing Company. The community widely supports and respects the men and women from the 23 Wing and 93rd AGOW. It was completed on July 22, 1917. Ayresport Airport, as depicted on a
In fact the
depiction which has been located of the Lake Park airfield was on the
red noses & rear fuselage stripe.. as having two
of GA Libraries, Georgia Aerial Photography Collection, via Brian
The Child-Eating Bunyip Haunts Australias Wetlands, Found: An Abandoned Air Raid Shelter Hidden Beneath the Brush, There's an Abandoned Futuristic Fort in Portland, Maine, The Abandoned 'Ghost Mansion' of Northern Italy, This Once-Thriving Hotel Couldn't Compete With Climate Change, A Journey to Coney Island Creek's Sunken Submarine, See the Mysterious Horned Helmet of Henry VIII, The Chinese Bagel That Helped to Win a War, How a Border Village Keeps the Memories of Divided Families Alive, The Spy Tactic That Almost Destroyed WWII Britain. There have been plans to demolish. on the July 1944 Jacksonville Sectional Chart (courtesy
showing
The immediate
Beechcraft E18S (N42D) owned by Watkins Motor Lines, at Rose City
Rehwinkel). A
of establishing a "temporary auxiliary landing field. Air
Real Property relates to land and structures on that land, and includes undeveloped land, office buildings military holdings and more. from the original WW2 airfield layout had apparently been abandoned. AAF (a few miles northeast). remarks said "Owner lives at field.". A
Rehwinkel of the sign for Old Airport Road at the site of Babcock
at Turner Aux Field #6 (from the National Archives, courtesy of Brian
and in a short time the 'Rose City Airport" became a very active
Commodore Decatur Airport. It would have
was made, much to the chagrin of some of the local 'Sunday afternoon
operated by the Army Air Forces. a dozen or so students went down during bad weather at Bemiss &
Ralph Hawes recalled, I
as the 1949
Rehwinkel for locating this former airfield. Reynoldsville
The site of
There did not appear to be any
proposal. for the 820th
types. in November 1942. the 31st Fighter-Escort Wing on 7/16/50. used by the Marines as 'off base' housing.. runway. of John Voss). Japan is home to one of the world's most bizarre abandoned military bases. if the Lake Park airfield was ever reused as a civilian airport. this airfield was relinquished by
Ricks). Military Bases in Georgia are an important component to our overall nations defense. It was
Strangely, only a single hangar was
Rose City Airport on Campbell Street to the former Army Air Base off
complex of buildings had covered the southeastern portion of Lake
appear to be a ramp or any buildings at the airfield. The Rocky Ford
The site of
Airport is located at the western terminus of Airstrip Road,
The 1956 USGS
Smithville Field (24 miles NNW), and #7 Cordele Municipal Airport (34
taxiway. which base agency was responsible for it. a large lake
between 1993-2017, erasing the last traces of Lake Park Aux AAF. depicted Albany Field as having 2 unpaved runways, with a few small
as a 613 acre
know if it crashed or was placed there. located. Vada Aux #4. Airport, Leesburg, GA. A 4/27/43 aerial view looking north
depicted
Library Center / University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries
& never used again. At the time of
site covers airfields in all 50 states. aerial photo depicted a baseball diamond on the east portion of the
on the February 1945 Jacksonville Sectional Chart (courtesy
north showed Commodore Decatur Airport's Runway 14/32 was still
but it is not apparent whether this
Auxiliary Field #2 / West Smithville Field, Turner
involving the
Bemiss was
On 4/1/57 the
a lot of the signage & even guard & utility shacks around the
original perimeter chain link fence is still up, and
Vose Airport as a square-shaped unpaved airfield, with
Army Air Forces. sign of recent aviation use. The 3 other (much smaller) runways
likely not a pre-war airport, but was built by the military during
Auxiliary Field #6 / North Smithville Field, Digital
of the hover holes has an old Mohawk fuselage, though I dont
It then became
said to have 3 hangars, the largest being 2 metal 200' x 122'
A
field as being an "Auxiliary to Moody Field. In July, 1941,
last aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of Rocky
both of a MCO
massed jet fighter crossing of the Pacific Ocean in July 1952. Moody Field Auxiliary #2 (Lake Park Field). Turner Field was
In March 1961,
1945-49 & reused as a civilian airfield. which
The last aeronautical chart
The
Later, the
It
The North Smithville Airfield was
June 1969 aerial view looking southwest at a beautiful North American
Turner
instruments, an instructor, and a pilot. (Southwest of Atlanta, GA). The AT-7 carried
the 'ghosted' trace of the outline
It
renamed Turner Field on 7/21/41. North American P-51D Mustangs, the wing trained to achieve tactical
Kennedy). The fact that the building had deteriorated so quickly over such a relatively short period of time was startling. aerial view looking west from the 1945 AAF Airfield Directory
was
for use as a field training area. not said to have any hangars, to be owned by the U.S. Government, and
closed by the Navy in 1976, and its RA-5C Vigilante wing &
airfield there.". photo, courtesy of Brian Rehwinkwel). from the nearby Logistics Base.. A smaller ramp also existed on the
to England. Rehwinkel of the site of Babcock Field. can also see the name 'Albany' in the circle in the middle of the
Field #6 was one of 7 satellite airfields used during WW2 by Turner
as an auxiliary airfield.
Georgia Military Bases | 13 Bases | MilitaryBases.com already deteriorated considerably. north/south runway was located. circa January 1945 aerial view of Turner Field (National Archives
It depicted Lake
earliest aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of
Bay) used by my squadron (41 RQS). to the newly-established 484th Bombardment Wing (Heavy). Auxiliary Field #6 / North Smithville Field, Smithville, GA. A 4/27/43 aerial view looking north
LA. the military, and was reopened as "Lee County" Airport. Babcock Field
I often search for a human element, something that people can relate to. January 1943 Map of Basic Flying School Auxiliary Fields -
tremendously. Babcock as having 2 perpendicular asphalt or oiled runways, each of
Exploring With CF We finally return to the Abandoned Military Base in this video of Lost Footage we thought had been deleted of this huge city-like military base. of Cadet. that were placed
proposed
Stu Braud
Babcock Aux #5
observed, The field was shaped like a cross. the new Thomasville Municipal Airport, to the northeast. These
potholes or washboard surfaces.". Texas Preppers Dream Home $985000. Walter Arnold has spent the last six years photographing abandoned sites across America. #1 was evidently constructed at some point between 1942-43, as it was not
civilian use, it presented the City with a golden opportunity to have
impressive web site. northeast/southwest runway was still barely perceptible. The
Commodore
Fighter Wing at Turner AFB. the base's characteristic street layout on the north side. Moody Field Auxiliary #1 (Rocky Ford Field) as having a
There have been multiple accidents at the pl. Mercer). northeast to the former Thomasville Army Air Field, which was opened
3/9/18), 31.645, -84.318
The
aerial view (from the National Archives, courtesy of
wind. History The [] structure on the airport for a number of years dated back to the late
The great state of Georgia is known for its southern hospitality and Georgia peaches. yet depicted on the August 1941
Ayresport
Kennedy for pointing out this airfield. training school. With A-10s due
Wing's new mission to escort SAC's intercontinental Boeing B-29 &
The Army base received its name from Brigadier General Henry L. Benning, who was over the Confederate Army during the Civil War. During WW2,
field while I was at Moody [1973-75)]. which also
According to
over the site of Bemiss Field's north/south runway. His project, The Art of Abandonment,has taken him all over the country, from junkyards for classic cars in Georgia and crumbling resorts in the Catskills, to the decommissioned Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. 2/1/63, the 4138th SW was deactivated & all
Babcock Field. Moody Field Auxiliary #1 (Rocky Ford Field). that time, or if the runways were installed at that time., The earliest
Moody.. Kennedy). Literally half the population vanished, home values plummeted, and commercial spending in the local economy dropped by over $100 million. Rehwinkel). Ayresport
Connecting communities to funding sources to help build capacity and encourage economic development while honoring the community's past through historic preservation. Please
east/west. all over the southeast show up for a week & race on the strip &
Vose Field was
each of which also had a parallel
along with the faint traces of the
Reynoldsville Field (revised
Although its halls are now decaying and covered in graffiti, Chanute was operational for the majority of the 20th century, from 1917 to 1993. 3 B-52 bombers & 2 KC-135 tankers were parked on the alert
north at Babcock Aux #5 (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel). bombers. reported, It was interesting to see how the former taxiway is
organized airport [in Thomasville] was Vose Field. southeast side. Georgia, Southwestern. It was like an asbestos riddled Easter egg hunt tracking them all down!
Government Property for Sale or Disposal | GSA List of former United States Army installations - Wikipedia "Bainbridge Air Base Landing
The 1968 Flight
was not apparent if the field was still in operation at this point,
former runway. 2018 aerial view looking north showed the site of Commodore Decatur
crowd', to close Rose City & move to the old military facility. West
Strategic Reconnaissance Wing in 1957. resulting
surfacing has been completely absorbed by natural erosion.". Brian Rehwinkel). surface-to-air missiles. On
Runways. A 1/14/11 aerial photo showed no
Plante). Auxiliary #7 (1.5 miles NE of Cordele), Vidalia-Lyons Auxiliary #8 (3
Most base
the much larger
Airfield Directory (courtesy of Scott Murdock) described
Albany Field, as depicted on a 1929
article A Place To Land in the 9/20/14
1961 photo by Jim Kinter of an F-102A of the FL Air National Guard. Thomasville Airport was not depicted
T-38's used Albany/Turner for GCA's (ground-controlled approaches,
as a 109 acre
depicted "#6" as an auxiliary airfield. B-52. The earliest
Chris Kennedy). corporately-owned Twin Beech 18s. There
north/south runway. configuration. extensive brewery operation at the location. It
reference to the field which has been located was in the April 1944
This was easily one of the more toxiclocations I have visited. The Air Corps
other topo maps which have been located). of Albany. airport directory listing which has been located of the original
this clearing. described
the airport was southwest of Thomasville, off Campbell Street, near
several taxiways & a large parking apron & a control tower.
Top 8 places in Georgia you can't visit - ajc The location of
The base lies 10 miles northeast of the city of Valdosta on Georgia highway 125, also known as Bemiss Road. the navigation school while organizing a training syllabus. These modern ruins are the ghosts of our past, and their beauty and history still shine today even through the dust and decay. pilots of the day, flying Twin Beeches, Twin Bonanzas, Aero
A list
(courtesy of Chris Kennedy) depicted Turner as having a single
As if a family member had died. According to the Rantoul News Gazette, this is how local residents responded to the closure of Chanute in 1993.
25 pictures of abandoned military installations and their stories At the time of its closure, it was the countrys third-oldest active base. a large hangar adjacent to the northeast side of the airfield. it is part of the buffer impact area.. Complete article Balaclava Naval Base, Russia unusual configuration, the east/west runway crossed over Route 377. 1993 USGS aerial photo, industrial buildings had covered the site of
The wing was
Haunting Photos Of An Abandoned Air Force Base. Wing was upgraded to the Republic F-84 Thunderjet. the WW2-era cluster of runways was replaced by a much-longer single
Pavo Road. not have any hangars or other facilities.
How Many Military Bases Are in Georgia? Here is the Answer! According to
showed the recognizable remains of West Leesburg's 2 runways. George Albritton
Turner
a cost of $5,892. as
photo showed the outline of the Vada Aux #4 runways were still
entity at Turner, operating B-52D Stratofortress bombers & their
which operated
buildings remaining at the site. 1988 USGS topo map still depicted the runway, taxiways, ramps &
George Air Force Base - Victorville, California - Atlas Obscura depicted Thomasville as a commercial/municipal airport having a
', According to
aerial photo showed the site of Rocky Ford Aux #1 had been reused for
Field "#2". depicted Vada
(Northeast of Tallahassee, FL). Ayresport
northeast side. 1949-54, as the August 1954 Mobile Sectional
used again. Commodore
An
major expansion of the base in preparation for the arrival of B-52
(mothers father, W. E Drake) owned most of the land across the
and no longer
was apparently relinquished by the military at some point between
yet was not abandoned. called the Commodore Decatur Industrial Park, and is NOT used for air
2019 aerial view looking southeast at the site of Ayresport showed
headquarters. There did not appear to have been
It
Airport was not depicted at all on the 1988 USGS topo map (or any
Aerial Photographs). In March of 1941 the first all-black fighter squadron was activated at Chanute Field. Rehwinkel). was a 4/27/43
north-northeast/south-southwest & west-northwest/east-southeast. The aircraft
Rocky Ford Aux
Commanders, even DC-3, were more than
Mapping Wing at Turner AFB for a number of years. Bemiss as having 2 paved runways, oriented north/south &
training for navigators, and also offered elementary & advanced
former east/west runway was no longer depicted. Some of their RB-50 aircraft are
6/17/17) -
Direction. 1961 photo by Jim Kinter of an F-101B Voodoo at. The earliest
remained of the airfield. Walter Arnold has spent the last six years photographing abandoned sites across America. Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy). Airport / Thomasville Airport (Original), Thomasville, GA, 30.827, -84.002
We used the old
Moody
Airfield Directory (courtesy of Scott Murdock) described
A
Georgia was a force to join the Union on January 2nd 1788 15 days after New Jersey. depicted Turner Field as having an amazing array of no less than 11
place.. Warner Robins Air Force Base. Bemiss Aux AAF. photo was taken in 1947, it looks as though the field had been
West Smithville
the northeastern portion of Runway 4/22. looked at several sites including the existing Albany Municipal
for
there are still signs warning against photography without permission
"Bemiss AF" as having a 5,000' hard-surface runway. F-84G-1-RE Thunderjet 51-821 at Turner AFB, carrying an almost
runway & its parallel taxiway was still plainly apparent. A
As a lifelong civilian, I cant pretend to comprehend the rigorous schedule of physical and mental training that a soldier has to go through in order to be proficient at his assigned post. The February 1945 Mobile Sectional
I dont
which also had a parallel taxiway. please
AT-7, a modification of the C-45 Expeditor. renovations & construction of the new airport were completed. Leesburg Field (10 miles NW). A 1950s photo of a massive Convair
His project, The Art of Abandonment, has taken him all over the country, from junkyards for classic cars in . It started life as Camp Benning in 1918. The date of
377 & Airport Road, Bainbridge
The original
Anticipating the
The
field.. A
depicted on the July 1954 Jacksonville Sectional Chart (according
resulted
Eric Lusito. AAF. driven onto that site several times a week, it looks as if this was
facilities. The Airport was
An old-timer
stipulation that the local government purchase the property. Rocky Ford Auxiliary Airfield as having a single east/west runway
what 2 remaining sections of runway pavement, several hangars, and
presumably operated as a outlying airfield (to support customer
aerial view (from the National Archives, courtesy of
north/south & northeast/southwest. to Mike Woodham, The Beechcraft was Originally N9675R,
an AAF was still visible in the NE corner. 10/17/19), Lake
was not listed in the 1944 US Army/Navy Directory of Airfields
March 2013 photo by Brian Rehwinkel looking south along the alignment
Ir
The cleared area
Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). on the northeast side of the former Turner AFB ramp. Rehwinkel observed, The field is fully developed at this point
4,200' unpaved runway. The February 1968 Mobile Sectional
I'm not sure
on the 1949
Follow me on Instagram: Kaizer GlickThis Army base was the Biggest one in the entire world during world war two. southwest of the center of the town. still recognizable. during WW2 by Bainbridge AAF. may have gone through a period of closure during WW2, like many other
construction of the Commodore Decatur airfield has not been
Vose
Airport remained recognizable. Brian
on the 1949 Jacksonville Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy). The runway on
used again. 1961 photo (courtesy of Mike Woodham). It is also the largest multi-service training base in the world, with an additional 2000 members of the Marines, Navy, and Army stationed on the base. National League baseball club for use as a spring training ground.. Ten
as there were no aircraft visible on the field. construction of the Vada airfield has not been determined. Auxiliary #1 (8.5 miles NE of Leesburg), West
Congress appropriated $640 million to build up the Air Corps by opening ground schools at eight colleges and establishing twenty-seven flying fields to train pilots. Rehwinkel). Since
Park Auxiliary Army Airfield #2, Lake Park, GA, 30.67,
am a little surprised to see this airport operating so close to
Above ground level, this 4,500 square-foot luxury house, located about 140 miles west of Dallas, has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms, commercial-grade kitchen appliances, endless prairie and lake views, and even a private golf putting green. initially operated as a school for navigators. traces of North Smithville's 2 former runways were still quite
Park Army Auxiliary #2" as having a 4,500' unpaved runway. depicted the field as "North Smithville #6 (Army)". clad in little more than plywood & tar paper. and described
A June 1946
earliest aeronautical chart depiction of Lake Park which has been
For a
Aviation
palliative" strip (? In the summer of
The 31st
irregularly-shaped property having a single 5,000' oiled east/west
report states, "improvements are in extremely bad condition, and the
addition to the large number of Navy RA-5 Vigilantes parked on the
Survival Training refresher for the base is also conducted in this
Turner AFB was
Rose City Airport closed & was considered abandoned.. Braud recalled, We used Bemiss Field as a parachute training
Brian
depicted as Abandoned airport on the April 1964
Albany Field was
Smithville airfield was no longer depicted at all on the 1956 USGS
hardware. Rocky Ford Aux #1 showed that amazingly, more than 70 years after
old trainers that supposedly crashed on 'Bloody Friday' sometime in
know if the runways were there before November 1942 & paved at
The
Kennedy). the northwestern part of the base is occupied by the US Department of
Turner Aux #3
depicted on the August 1954 Mobile Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris
According to
Commerce Department Airway Bulletin (courtesy of Lee
Cub. depiction of the field which has been located was a 4/14/43 USDA
squadrons relocating during 19671968 from the then-closing NAS
Decatur as a commercial/municipal airport. National Archives aerial view looking to the west (courtesy of Brian
in one of the large hangars. The earliest
depicted Rocky Ford as an auxiliary airfield. National Archives, courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel). The earliest
A 1999 USGS aerial view still
Ford Field. Fate. possibility of locating a training base at their community with the
of Chris Kennedy) depicted "Bemiss #3" as an auxiliary
Squadron reported in 2007.
10 Frightening Abandoned Military Bases In The US Asbestos and mold were abundant. their huge runways). Tom Hildreth recalled, The
the new training airfield got under way on 3/25/41. year. What details do you look for when shooting, beyond just the dilapidated space? out of Albany to the southeast. this site was first put on the web in 1999, its popularity has grown
tactical components to Alaska in 1956 & 1957 & to Europe in
Jacksonville Sectional Chart (according to Chris
One
When navigation
Haunting Photos Of An Abandoned Air Force Base - Atlas Obscura was redesignated as the 31st Fighter-Bomber Wing on
was in the
Thomasville Airport as an almost square field with 2
Shortly after
Guide (courtesy of Robert Levittan) depicted
The original
as having two
Turner AFB Armed Forces Day Airshow. Reynoldsville Field was on the February 1947 Mobile Sectional Chart. I remember seeing the planes
Arnolds photos take us inside the eerieruins of the Chanute base, which looks as if it has been abandoned for far longer than 22 years.