Glider pilots in World War II, based at the Lubbock Army Airfield, practiced in West Texas skies.

White House, War Department OK Lubbock Army Airfield

1941 The long-rumored, long hoped-for U.S. Army Air training base, to be located just north of Hurlwood, in west central Lubbock County about 10 miles west of the courthouse, last night appeared to be a certainty.

First official announcement in connection with the air training base came in a telegram from Rep. George H. Mahon, of the 19th Texas district of which Lubbock is a part. The telegram, addressed to The Avalanche-Journal, was from Washington, and read:

"I am authorized to announce that a flying school for Lubbock has been approved here. Complete details soon will be forthcoming as to amount of expenditures for buildings, equipment, number of officers and men."

"I am happy to see Lubbock come into the national defense picture and am telegraphing the chamber of commerce and the people of Lubbock County for their wonderful cooperation which has made possible the approval of this project. Regards, George Mahon."

Planes are lined up on the Lubbock Army Airfield flightline during World War II.

From other sources in Washington, The Morning Avalanche learned that official approval of the Lubbock air training base will come from the White House and the War department, probably Friday, but certainly within a few days. With White House and War Department approval is expected to come complete details of the set-up.

Lubbock has been visited from time-to-time by officers of the Army Air Corps, including Brigadier General Gerald C. Brant, of Randolph Field, San Antonio, commanding general of the 16-state Gulf Coast Air Training Center.

Over a period of months, General Brant and members of his staff have carefully studied the possibilities of Lubbock and the Hurlwood site and more recently, the early part of this week, Maj. James H. Stratton, of the U.S. Army Engineers, and members of his staff have been on the ground making further surveys and investigations.

Major Stratton, district engineer with headquarters in Caddos, Colo., is expected to return here within a few days to go into the details of construction of the base.