Presque Isle Air Museum

Description

Presque Isle Army Airfield Headquarters was also the headquarters for the Army Air Corps, Air Transport Command, North American Division. Its mission was to fly men, supplies and equipment to the British Isles in preparation for war in Europe.

The first troops arrived in Presque Isle to start establishing the base on September 15, 1941. At that time, no military facilities existed and the men lived in tents and trailers.

At the height of base activity during World War II, more aircraft flights flew from Presque Isle to Europe than from any other American base. After the invasion of Europe, the airbase converted C-54s and other aircraft into flying ambulances to bring seriously wounded troops back for treatment.

Activity at the base wound down after the war from 1946-1947. However, the base was reactivated in 1947 for fighter support and later it was the only North American base for the Snark intercontinental missiles. The base was closed and returned to civilian use in 1960.

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