Minter Field (MIT/KMIT) (Shafter, California)

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Minter Field was originally constructed under the Defense Landing Area Program for the U.S. Army as a flight training center near the town of Shafter, 13.5 miles northwest of Bakersfield. Although officially dedicated on Saturday, February 7, 1942, operations on Minter Field actually began in June of 1941 when the post was garrisoned by only a small guard unit. The base commander, Colonel Carl Pyle, established his headquarters on the Bakersfield Junior College campus in the city while base personnel camped out in temporary quarters scattered from Bakersfield to Wasco, located some fifteen miles to the northwest of Minter Field.

Minter Field was a city within itself having served the 7,000 personnel stationed at the airfield during World War II for training, living and recreational needs. Although many of the facilities have been removed over the years, there was a chapel, swimming pool, theater, post office, and infirmary, among just a few of the services that were provided for those stationed here. The remaining buildings are now used as offices or warehouses including the Airport Administration Office.

www.militarymuseum.org/MinterField.html
www.minterfieldairmuseum.com/
www.airnav.com/airport/KMIT
www.globalair.com/airport/airport.aspx?aptcode=MIT