Maxwell Air Force Base, officially known as Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, is a United States Air Force (USAF) installation under the Air Education and Training Command (AETC). The installation is located in Montgomery, Alabama, US. It was named in honor of Second Lieutenant William C. Maxwell, a native of Atmore, Alabama.
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE HISTORY
Toward the end of February 1910, the Wright Brothers decided to open one of the world’s earliest flying schools at the site that would subsequently become Maxwell AFB. The Wrights taught the principles of flying, including take-offs, balancing, turns, and landings. The Wright Flying School closed on May 26, 1910.[1]
The field served as a repair depot during World War I. In fact, the depot built the first plane made in Montgomery and exhibited it at the field on September 20, 1918. Repair activity at the depot was sharply curtailed at the end of the war.
Air University, an institution providing continuing military education for Air Force personnel, was established at Maxwell in 1946, prior to the Air Force becoming an independent service. Today, it remains the main focus of base activities. In 1992, the 3800th Air Base Wing was disbanded and the 502d Air Base Wing took over as the host wing, which two years later gave way to the current 42d Air Base Wing.
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE LOCATION
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE FACTS
ICAO/IATA: KMXF/MXF
Lat: 32°22′45″N
Long: 086°21′45″W
Elevation: 171 ft.
Runway length available: 15/33 8013×150 ft. :: 007/187 3015×60 ft.
