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Scott through the Years

Circa 1918, students at Scott Field learn to aim the 'Lewis Gun', a World War I-era light machine gun that was widely used on aircraft in both World Wars.

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Scott through the Years

Scott Field members take a break for chow during a 1932 hike alongside the massive airship hangar, which housed large airships and observation balloons until the late 1930s. This structure was easily noticeable for miles around, and was the second largest airship hangar in the world at the time.

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Scott through the Years

The very first mission of Scott Field was to train pilots and mechanics. At first they used Standard Trainers, and then the Curtiss JN-4D “Jenny.” Flight training in these early aircraft, made of wood, fabric, and wire, could be very dangerous. Students injured in even minor accidents could face a long walk, or if in luck a long drive to the nearest medical treatment facility. The crash crews were formed to first get the personnel to safety, and then bring back damaged parts of the aircraft.

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Scott through the Years

On June 28, 1921, Scott Field got a new mission as a Lighter-Than-Air station. This led to Scott Field getting initial funding of $1,250,000 (17+ Million 2015 adjust) for a new airship hangar at Scott Field. Construction was finished January 31, 1923, and it stood at over 810 feet long, 206.5 feet wide and 178 feet high. It was said the entire United States Army, which at the time consisted of 100,000 personnel, could have fit within the structure.

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Scott through the Years

Scott Field Signal Corps personnel maintained a pigeon coop, which was used for communications as later decades would use the radio. Homing pigeons were commonly used in a war time environment due to their exceptional skill in being able to return back to their home coop. They would carry messages in a canister on their leg, sometimes accomplishing dozens of missions, while at risk of being shot out of the sky by enemy soldiers.

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Scott through the Years

Air Shows and Open Houses have long been a tradition for military bases, like this one on May 17, 1952. Scott AFB personnel hosted surrounding community members to show them the great flying force that consisted of bombers, cargo and fighter aircraft such as the B-29 in the background.

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Gen. James

During Vietnam, Gen. Daniel James flew 75 combat missions including the infamous Operation BOLO mission where seven communist MiG-21 aircraft were destroyed. Operation BOLO was a deception-based mission intended to trick enemy fighter aircraft into battle where American fighters held the advantage. This operation pitted the U.S. F-4 Phantom II against the MiG-21 and, because of this operation, the enemy re-evaluated their MiG-21 strategy and deployment.

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