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The Courtland Army Airfield (Courtland AAF) is located in Courtland, AL. It was built in 1944. Courtland AAF hosted basic pilot training, and B24 Bomber training. There were approximtely 500 aircraft on the airfield at any given time.[1] In 1945 the airfield was decommissioned and given to its parent city to be used for civil aviation. The current FAA ID for the airport is 9A4. It is now called the Lawrence County Airport.
BT-13 Valiant "Vibrator" Training[edit]
After successfully completing their primary flight training, pilots were sent here to begin basic flight training. They mainly flew the BT-13 Valiant aircraft. It was here that flying became more precise and challenging.[1] The pilots would then go to other bases for advanced pilot training.
WASP Training[edit]
There was also a WASP training school here. They flew BT-13's, UC-78's, and B24's.[2] One of their jobs was to test the planes immediately after repair.
The most notable fatality linked to the airfield is of one Margie Davis. Margie L. Davis, class of 44-9, crashed en route to the Courtland AAF while ferrying her AT-6 with her class on the 2,000 mile cross-country trip. She crashed and was killed near dark about 1 mile south of Walnut, MS October 16, 1944.[3]
B-24 Training[edit]
Once the B-29 came online at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, AL, the B-24 specialized four-engine training school moved here.[4]
Historical Archives[edit]
There are over 2,145 pages of records available at the AFHRAN at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, AL. You simply email them the IRIS number of the documents you want to buy. The following lists is comprised of 3 rolls of microfilm. Each roll is $30.00. If you are close to the company, you can go inside and use their photocopier.
Official Courtland AAF Documents:
| IRIS Number | Description | Total Pages |
|---|---|---|
| 171151 | Post Diary | 7 |
| 171150 | History of 2115 Army Air Forces Base Unit, Army Air Forces Pilot School (Specialized Four Engine) | 157 |
| 171149 | History of 2115 Army Air Forces Base Unit, Army Air Forces Pilot School (Specialized Four Engine) | 153 |
| 171148 | History of 2115 Army Air Forces Base Unit, Army Air Forces Pilot School (Specialized Four Engine) | 141 |
| 171147 | Army Air Forces Pilot School (Specialized 4E) | 107 |
| 171146 | Army Air Forces Pilot School (Basic) | 143 |
| 171145 | Army Air Forces Pilot School (Basic) | 138 |
| 171144 | History, Women Air Force Service Pilot (WASP) Army Air Forces Pilot School | 21 |
| 171143 | Historical Record of Veterinary Detachment | 9 |
| 171142 | Unit History, Detachment Medical Department | 7 |
| 171141 | History of the Detachment Finance Department | 8 |
| 171140 | Army Air Forces Pilot School (Basic) | 318 |
| 171139 | Unit History, Station Hospital, Office of the Veterinarian | 10 |
| 171138 | PUnit History, Detachment Medical Department | 20 |
| 171137 | Unit History, Detachment Medical Department | 9 |
| 171136 | Army Air Forces Pilot School (Basic) | 315 |
| 171135 | Army Air Forces Pilot School (Basic) Medical Department Activities | 39 |
| 171134 | Army Air Forces Pilot School (Basic) | 543 |