History of
Columbus Air Force Base
Mississippi
Columbus Army Air Field was activated by the Army Air Force in 1942. The primary mission of the base at that time was to train students in the advanced phase of the Pilot Training Program (multi-engine).
At the end of World War II, Columbus Army Air Field was placed in an inactive status (1946).
The Base was reactivated in March 1951 with the primary mission of training Air Force students of America and countries of the Mutual Defense Assistance Pact (MDAP) in the primary phase of the Pilot Training Program.
Columbus Air Force Base was the second civilian contract school established by the United States Air Force. California Eastern Airways, Inc. was named the contractor to operate the primary phase of flight training in conjunction with policies of the Air Force.
The Base was re-designated Columbus Air Force Base under the command of Lt. Colonel G. B. Palmer, who served as the commanding officer until Major John S. Buckwalter assumed command in January 1953.
Lt. Colonel Ethel B. Branham became our Commander in January 1954.
(Information obtained from the Graduation Ceremonies Program)
Base Commander Lieutenant Colonel Ethel B. Branham |
Captain Gelsone
1st Lt. Braddon
1st Lt. Reed
|
Military Training Section
Major William
V. Wright
Captain Frank
E. Gelsone
1st Lt. Paul
L. Braddon
1st Lt. John
D. Sayre
1st Lt. Dwight
C. Reed
|
Operations Section Major Wayne L.
Blue
Captain Don T.
Kohler
1st Lt.
Hjalmer R. Kivisto
1st Lt. Donald
Gwyn
|
Major Blue
1st Lt. Gwyn
1st Lt. Merritt
|
Left to Right: Mr. Clark,
Director; Mr. Young, Mr. Tollison, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Egger,
|
Left to
Right - Second Row: Top Row:
|
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