California State Military
DepartmentThe project site was the former Bishop Army Air Field used by the U.S. Army and Air Force from 1942 to 1949 and again from 1965 to 1971 and 1980 to 1985. The site was used for aircraft flight and ordnance delivery training. Aircraft maintenance was also accomplished at the site as well as ordnance storage. The Air Force used the heliport area and runway for performance testing of helicopters and other aircraft from 1965 to 1971 and 1980 to 1985. The Army facilities were constructed during 1942 and 1943 except for the heliport which was constructed during 1965. The DoD facilities included run-way expansion, fuel facilities, utilities, buildings, aircraft maintenance, hospital and barracks. The property was under Department of Defense (DoD) control during the period of DOD leasing.
On 2 May 1949, Army cancelled its initial lease of 897.22 acres with Inyo County for Bishop Airport under the War Assets Administration's Peacetime Reduction Mission. The Air Force subleased 4.76 acres from 15 November 1965 to 19 June 1971 and from 25 November 1980 to 30 September 1985 from Inyo County. The. lease is not currently in effect. The property owner is the City of Los Angeles which leases the property and facilities to Inyo County.
