This included a blackout order, and searchlight and anti-aircraft were emplaced around strategic points in the city. Portland was becoming a major installation, gradually building in strength and capacity.īetween October 18-20, 1941, the fighter planes of the 55th Pursuit Group, many recently flown in factory fresh from the Republic factory on the east coast, joined in with state and city of Portland organizations in an air raid drill which tested the air defense network recently established in the area. There was also the HQ Squadron of the 2nd Air Force Air Service Command, and the American Red Cross opened an office on the base too.īefore the war suddenly began, plans were announced to construct approximately 90 new buildings to provide for an expected strength at the base of some 3,600 enlisted men and 400 officers. Also added to the roster was the Station Medical detachment, a detachment of the 1st Weather Squadron that formed the base weather station and the 86th Army Air Force Band. These included the 35th Signal Company, 320th Signal Company, 684th Ordnance Company, 723rd Ordnance Company, Quartermaster (QM) Detachment, 91st QM, 2nd Det QM Company (Aviation Supply) and 35th QM Company. It was the second flying unit to operate from the new base.Ī mix of other Army units was also assigned to PAAB, providing essential specialized functions. The group consisted of a Headquarters squadron and three pursuit squadrons, the 37th, 38th, and 54th, and the 55th Interceptor Control Squadron.Īlso at the base was the 16th Transport Squadron, equipped with the Douglas C-47 Skytrain. McCauley, equipped with the Republic P-43 Lancer fighter, the direct ancestor of the P-47 Thunderbolt.
The principal air unit based at Portland was the 55th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), commanded by Major James W. Also present was the 44th Air Base Squadron, previously assigned to the 43rd ABG, but as of the time of Pearl Harbor a separate unit under the 2nd Air Force Base Command. The 43rd's units included the Headquarters Squadron and 57th Materiel Squadron. The base itself was administered by the 43rd Air Base Group, and commanded by Colonel Joseph L. 7, 1941, there were a variety of United States Army Air Forces units assigned to PAAB. A flag pole for the base was donated by the public, and on June 14, 1941, Flag Day, approximately 1,500 personnel and guests participated in the first flag raising over the base.
The original buildings were constructed to support a garrison of 2, 392 enlisted men and 275 officers. A connecting road and utility lines connected the two areas. The base was originally built in two areas, with a 30 acre part on the south side of the Portland-Columbia Airport and a 60 acre site south of that for housing of personnel, medical and administrative offices. Portland Army Air Base was established on March 13, 1941, at a time when numerous air installations of the Army Air Forces were under construction, as the United States prepared for looming conflict with the Axis powers of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Imperial Japan. By the end of the day, however, that would completely change. As the day dawned on Sunday, December 7, 1941, at Portland Army Air Base, Oregon, all was in order.
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