Matagorda Island AFB
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| Matagorda Island Air Force Base
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| Matagorda Island, Calhoun County, Texas | |
 2006 USGS airphoto |
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| Type | USAAF Training Airfield/Gunnery Range |
| Coordinates | Coordinates: 28°20′N 96°28′W / 28.33°N 96.46°W |
| Built | 1942 |
| In use | 1942-1975 |
Matagorda Island AFB is an abandoned airfield located northeast of Corpus Christi, Texas.
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[edit] History
In 1943 a bombing and gunnery range was constructed on the north end of Matagorda Island. It was deactivated after World War II and reactivated for the Strategic Air Command from 1949 until 1975.
The Matagorda Island Bombing Range was controlled at one time or another various Air Force bases in Texas and Louisiana as a satellite base. It had up to five active runways at one time or another and was used for various deployments. However, after 1975, the property was turned over to the Department of the Interior as a federal wildlife refuge, and the airfield is now completely abandoned.
Today, the runways and taxiways, although infested with vegetation, are in very good condition. There are several structures, hangars, and buildings of various types in various stages of deterioration. Also there is a usable dock and a small port facility.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
- Shaw, Frederick J. (2004), Locating Air Force Base Sites History’s Legacy, Air Force History and Museums Program, United States Air Force, Washington DC, 2004.
- Thole, Lou (1999), Forgotten Fields of America : World War II Bases and Training, Then and Now - Vol. 2. Publisher: Pictorial Histories Pub, ISBN 1-57510-051-7
[edit] External links
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