California State Military
DepartmentCalifornia State Military
DepartmentUse of 218 acres of the San Luis Obispo County Airport by the Army Air Corps and the California National Guard (115th Observation Squadron) was initiated in November 1938. Acquisition records were neither specific nor complete. On 4 January 1943 the Navy leased 208 acres of the San Luis Obispo County Airport from the County of San Luis Obispo. With the exception of an unspecified 10 acres, the portion of the airport used by the Army appears to be identical to that portion used subsequently by the Navy.
The Air Corps and the National Guard used the airport as an aerial observation training center, associated with Camp Merriam (now Camp San Luis Obispo). The introduction of improved aircraft in the late 1930's caused the 115th Observation Squadron to discontinue Camp Merriam's parade field as its training area. Improvements constructed by the Air Corps and National Guard consisted of three runways, hangars, mechanic shops, mess halls, barracks, and a photography studio. The airport was used simultaneously as a municipal airport. The Navy used the airport as an air training center, in support of Amphibious Forces in the Pacific Fleet and as an outlying field for NAS Alameda during World War II. Navy improvements consisted primarily of construction of wooden, prefabricated buildings and superficial improvements to the runways and taxiways.
The use of 218 acres of airport property
by the Army Air Corps and the National Guard continued until at
least November 1941. In May 1946, the Navy disposed of the 208
leased acres and abandoned the airport facilities, leaving all
improvements to the County of San Luis Obispo. Disposal records
were neither complete nor specific. Use of the airport by the
County of San Luis Obispo has continued to the present. With the
exception of the runways and one hanger, it does not appear that
any of the existing improvements were in use during Army, Navy,
or National Guard occupation.
Source: US Army Corps of
Engineers