Gardner Army Airfield: The Forgotten WWII Flight School of Taft, California

Just southeast of Taft, California, where fields now stretch quietly toward the horizon, there once stood a bustling center of wartime activity: Gardner Army Airfield. Though little remains above ground today, this airfield played a pivotal role in preparing thousands of American pilots and aircrew for World War II. Here’s the story of Gardner Field-why it was built, what happened there, and the legacy it left behind.

Why Gardner Army Airfield Was Built

In 1940, as war raged across Europe and Asia, the United States recognized the urgent need to expand its military aviation forces. The Army Air Corps (which would soon become the Army Air Forces) needed a rapid increase in the number of trained pilots and aircrew to prepare for possible U.S. involvement in the global conflict. The Western Flying Training Command was tasked with identifying suitable locations for new training bases.

Kern County’s flat, open farmland southeast of Taft was ideal for flying. In January 1941, the Army leased 880 acres, and construction began almost immediately. By 1943, the base had grown to nearly 1,400 acres, with three asphalt runways, a large aircraft apron, and dozens of support buildings. Gardner Field officially opened with a dedication ceremony on October 26, 1941-just weeks before the attack on Pearl Harbor.

What Happened at Gardner Field

Gardner Field’s primary mission was basic flight training. Young cadets, many of whom had never flown before, learned the fundamentals of military aviation here. They trained on Vultee BT-13 Valiant and Boeing-Stearman PT-17 aircraft, mastering takeoffs, landings, navigation, and aerial maneuvers. The base operated under the Army Air Force Training Command and was home to several school squadrons, including the 328th, 329th, 528th, and 545th.

At its peak, Gardner Field housed about 2,000 personnel and employed 350 civilians. Over the course of the war, it trained approximately 3,050 soldiers and 8,916 cadets-an impressive contribution to the Allied war effort. The base also supported training for other aircrew roles, such as navigators and ground support staff.

Notable alumni included some of the most famous names in American aviation history:

• Major General Chuck Yeager, who would later become the first person to break the sound barrier.

• Richard Bong, America’s top WWII fighter ace.

  
  

Life at the Base

Gardner Field was a self-contained community. In addition to runways and hangars, it featured a hospital, a sewage treatment plant, administration buildings, mess halls, officers’ quarters, a chapel, and 37 barracks. Most buildings were temporary, built quickly to meet the demands of wartime expansion.

The base’s proximity to Los Angeles brought a touch of Hollywood glamour. Celebrities like Joel McCrea and Johnny Weissmuller visited, even helping to fund amenities such as a swimming pool. In October 1944, comedian Jack Benny broadcast his weekly radio show from Gardner Field, boosting morale and bringing a taste of home to the troops.

Gardner Field also operated several auxiliary airstrips in the region, such as Parker Field, Conners Field, and Taft Field. These simple landing mats were used for training and have since returned to farmland.

The End of an Era

As World War II drew to a close, the need for pilot training diminished. The last class graduated in January 1945, and the base was officially inactivated on February 28, 1945. By October 1947, Gardner Field was declared surplus, and the land gradually returned to agricultural use.

Today, only fragments remain-parts of the parking apron, an old sewage treatment plant, and a monument at the former entrance on Gardner Field Road, honoring Major John H. Gardner, the base’s namesake.

Gardner Field’s Legacy

Though the runways have faded and the barracks are long gone, Gardner Army Airfield’s legacy endures. The base trained pilots and aircrew who would go on to shape the outcome of World War II and the future of aviation. Its brief but vital existence is a testament to the community’s wartime spirit and the enduring impact of those who passed through its gates.

As you drive along Gardner Field Road today, take a moment to remember the history beneath your wheels-the stories of courage, innovation, and sacrifice that helped shape a generation.