Ruth Haines
Sheppard Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in Wichita County, Texas, named after Texas Senator John Morris Sheppard. It is the largest training base in the Air Education and Training Command. The base began as Sheppard Field in 1941 and has since been used for training in aircraft maintenance, transportation, communication, civil engineering, and more. Will Rogers World Airport, on the other hand, is an airport in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, named after comedian and legendary cowboy Will Rogers. The airport first opened in 1911 as Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield and was renamed in 1941. It is the busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma, handling nearly 4.42 million passengers in 2019.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Approximately five miles southwest of central Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| History | Started as an 80-acre "municipal aviation park" in 1930, now covers 8,000 acres |
| Airlines | 7 major airlines, 7 regional airlines, and a growing number of charter services |
| Daily Departures | 87 scheduled, 76 on average for commercial carriers |
| Runways | 2 9,800-ft parallel runways, 1 7,800-ft crosswind runway |
| Freight and Mail | 122 million pounds in 2000, an 81% increase from 1990 |
| Military | Home to the 137th Airlift Wing, which flies the C-130 Hercules aircraft |
| Military (cont.) | Realignment recommended by DoD in 2005 BRAC to move Air Force Flight Standards Agency (AFFSA) and its two C-21 aircraft to Will Rogers World Airport |
| Private Jets | Available for charter to Sheppard AFB |
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What You'll Learn
Will Rogers World Airport history
Oklahoma's aviation history dates back to 1910, when Charles F. Willard made the state's first airplane flight. Before World War I, aviators used any available flat land, and the state's only true airport was at Fort Sill, named Post Field. Oklahoma City's first municipal airport opened in 1920, and Tulsa's first airport was founded in 1919.
In 1928, Tulsa Municipal Airport opened and became one of the world's busiest airports in the early 1930s due to the Oklahoma oil boom. Another Tulsa airport was constructed in 1929 by oil tycoon Erle P. Halliburton. Oklahoma's rich aviation history includes notable figures such as Wiley Post, who in 1931 flew around the world in eight days and 16 hours with navigator Harold Gatty. Post later broke his record in a solo flight using a Lockheed 5C Vega, completing the trip in seven days, 18 hours, and 49 minutes. Post formed a legendary friendship with entertainer and cultural icon Will Rogers, an avid aviation supporter.
Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City is named after the famous comedian and humorist William Penn Adair Rogers (1879-1935), who was from the nearby town of Oologah. The airport has undergone significant changes over the past two decades, including substantial terminal improvements. The 1960s terminal was extended at a cost of over $100 million, and the project was completed in 2006. The airport features newsagents, gift shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, and a landscaped Plaza Garden. The Oklahoma City Airport Trust, founded in 1956, manages the airport.
The Oklahoma City municipal airport became Will Rogers Field during World War II and served as the largest light bomber training base in the country. It provided a base for training aircrews in advanced aerial bombardment and photographic reconnaissance.
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Sheppard Air Force Base history
Sheppard Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located five miles north of Wichita Falls, Texas. It is the largest training base in the Air Education and Training Command and is named after Texas Senator John Morris Sheppard, who advocated for military preparedness before World War II.
The base began as Sheppard Field, occupying 300 acres of land just south of Kell Field. The land was sold to the United States Army by Texas cattleman, oilman, and philanthropist Joseph Sterling Bridwell for one dollar. It officially opened as a United States Army Air Corps training centre on 17 October 1941, after the arrival of the first military members on 14 June. As the Army Air Corps evolved into the Army Air Forces, the facilities expanded to accommodate the first class of 22 aviation mechanics, which commenced training in October and graduated on 23 February 1942.
Sheppard Field served as a separation centre for troops being discharged following World War II, reaching its peak population of 46,340 individuals from September to November 1945. However, the field was deactivated on 31 August 1946 and deemed surplus to the War Department's needs. It was transferred to the jurisdiction of the United States Army Corps of Engineers in April 1947, and the Texas National Guard utilised the base for the following two years.
On 1 August 1948, control of Sheppard Field was transferred to the Department of the Air Force, and it was reactivated on 15 August 1948 as Sheppard AFB to supplement Lackland AFB as a basic training centre. Basic training at Sheppard AFB underwent several interruptions but remained operational until May 1952. Over the subsequent three decades, the base hosted three training schools, instructing students in aircraft maintenance, transportation, communication, civil engineering, aircrew life support, and field training.
The base has undergone several organisational changes and expansions throughout its history. The 3950th Technical Training Wing was designated the Sheppard Technical Training Center in 1959 and has since been renamed the 82nd Training Wing. Helicopter pilot training was introduced in 1965, along with airborne firefighting training due to the role of the USAF HH-43 aircraft in aircraft firefighting. The base also hosted various units, including the Strategic Air Command's training units for aerospace rescue schools and weather instruction from 1960 to 1966.
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Will Rogers World Airport facilities
Will Rogers World Airport, now known as OKC Will Rogers International Airport, is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is the busiest commercial airport in the state, serving nearly 4.42 million passengers in 2019. The airport offers both domestic and international flights, with Southwest Airlines carrying the most passengers as of April 2022.
The airport features three concourses with various eateries, shops, and amenities. It also provides convenient parking options, including two parking garages (Garage A and Garage B) located near the terminal, offering hourly parking and covered parking for travellers. Additionally, the airport houses a Consolidated Rental Car Facility, accommodating several rental car companies such as Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise, among others.
Will Rogers World Airport has a rich history, initially opening in 1911 as the Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield. During World War II, it served as a significant training facility for the United States Army Air Forces, with multiple fighter and bomber units receiving their initial training there.
The airport has a unique connection to its namesake, Will Rogers, an Oklahoma native who was a legendary cowboy and comedian. Unfortunately, he passed away in an airplane crash near Utqiagvik, Alaska, in 1935. The airport was renamed in his honour in 1941.
In terms of flight routes, Will Rogers World Airport offers popular domestic routes within the United States, including Oklahoma to Las Vegas, Valparaiso, Seattle, Denver, and Orlando. Internationally, travellers can fly to destinations like Bangkok, Victoria, Doha, Manila, and Kuala Lumpur. The airport also accommodates private flights and charters.
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Sheppard Air Force Base training
The Sheppard Air Force Base is located in Wichita County, Texas, United States, about five miles (8 km) north of Wichita Falls' central business district. It is the largest training base and most diversified in Air Education and Training Command. The base is named after Texas Senator John Morris Sheppard, who advocated for military preparedness before World War II.
The 82nd Training Wing, under the command of Brigadier General Paul G. Filcek, is the host unit at Sheppard. The wing provides specialised technical training and field training for officers, airmen, and civilians from all branches of the US military, other Department of Defense agencies, and foreign nationals. The base also conducts the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) program, a multinationally managed flying training program that trains combat pilots for both the US Air Force and NATO.
Sheppard AFB has a long history of providing basic and advanced military training. During World War II, then known as Sheppard Field, the base conducted basic training, glider mechanic training, and technical and flying instructor training. It also provided advanced pilot training for the B-29 Superfortress flight engineers. After the war, Sheppard served as a separation centre for discharged troops.
In the following years, the base hosted three training schools, instructing students in aircraft maintenance, transportation, communication, civil engineering, aircrew life support, and field training. The base has also been involved in helicopter pilot training and airborne firefighting exercises. Today, Sheppard AFB continues to be a vital training centre, contributing to the readiness and capabilities of US and allied military forces.
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Will Rogers World Airport airlines
Will Rogers World Airport, now known as OKC Will Rogers International Airport, is the busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma. The airport is named after the Oklahoma-born comedian and legendary cowboy, Will Rogers, who died in an airplane crash in 1935.
In 2024, the airport underwent a name change to market itself to a wider audience, and it is set to expand its routes to Mexico and the Caribbean in 2025. Indeed, American Airlines will begin nonstop service to Cancún, Mexico, in November 2025. The airport also plans to open a new customs facility in 2025.
Will Rogers World Airport offers a range of amenities and services, including world-class artwork, eateries, curated shops, and various airline options. Southwest Airlines has one of its largest customer service and support centres at the airport, and as of April 2022, it carried the most passengers at Will Rogers World Airport, with a market share of nearly 48%.
Other airlines that operate from Will Rogers World Airport include American Airlines, which offers flights to and from Sheppard Air Force Base, and Great Plains Airlines, which previously operated from the airport until it ceased operations in 2004. Linear Air also offers private jet and charter flights to and from Wichita Falls Regional/Sheppard AFB Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
The flight path between Will Rogers World Airport and Sheppard Air Force Base is serviced by airlines like American Airlines and Linear Air. The airports are located in different states, with Will Rogers World Airport located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Sheppard Air Force Base located in Wichita Falls, Texas.
There are both private and commercial flight options available. Linear Air offers private jets and charter flights between the two airports. Commercial flights are also available, with prices varying based on the airline and timing.
Will Rogers World Airport operates three runways: two 9,800-foot parallel runways and one 7,800-foot crosswind runway. It provides services from seven major airlines, seven regional airlines, and various charter services, with 87 scheduled daily departures. The airport also has a variety of food options available.
