The construction of military airfields after the Pearl Harbor Attack that caused the entry of the United States into World War II resulted in the construction of the Smoky Hill Army Air Field (AAF) on , southwest of Salina, Kansas. The first unit associated with the airfield was the 376th Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron, whose engineers first laid out the base in April 1942. Construction began in May 1942 with the aid of nearly 7,000 workers. The airfield was activated on September 1, 1942, and was assigned to the II Bomber Command, Second Air Force.KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY, Summer 1959 issueAFHRA Smoky Hill Army Air Field
