Maxwell Air Force Base

Maxwell Air Force Base is in Montgomery, Alabama, and with its Gunter Annex employs more than 8,000 military and civilian personnel [1]. Engine and Repair Depot No. 3 was established in 1918 during World War I on the former site of the Wright Brothers’ civilian flying school, and in 1922 the base was renamed Maxwell Field.

History

In 1922 the 22nd Observation Squadron was assigned, and in 1929 Maj. Walter Weaver’s squadron airdropped supplies to people isolated by flooding in south Alabama, one of the first such drops in aviation history. In 1931 Rep. Lister Hill helped move the Air Corps Tactical School from Virginia to Maxwell, and in 1940 the Army leased Montgomery’s municipal airport, which became Gunter Field, a flight-training field. During World War II about 7,000 civilians worked at the two airfields [1]. See Montgomery County.

Air University

Air University was named in 1946, first commanded by Maj. Gen. Muir S. Fairchild, and dedicated on September 3, 1946. Its three-tier professional military education system includes Squadron Officers School for captains, Air Command and Staff College for majors and lieutenant colonels, and Air War College for senior colonels. Construction of the Academic Circle began in the 1950s [1].

Units

Units have included the Ira C. Eaker College for Professional Development, Air Force Historical Research Agency, the Civil Air Patrol-USAF headquarters and the 908th Reserve Airlift Wing. The Gunter Annex houses the College of Enlisted Professional Military Education, the Air Force Senior NCO Academy and the Standard Systems Group [1].

Origins

Maxwell began in 1918 as Engine and Repair Depot No. 3 on the former site of the Wright brothers’ civilian flying school, and Congressman Lister Hill helped keep it open after the war. It became an operations field and was renamed Maxwell Field in 1922 for Lt. William C. Maxwell. In 1929 it flew relief supplies to flood-isolated areas of south Alabama, one of the earliest airdrops of its kind.[2]

Air Corps Tactical School and World War II

The Air Corps Tactical School moved to Maxwell in 1931, and its instructors helped shape Army air doctrine, including daylight precision bombing. In World War II, Maxwell and Gunter Field, built on Montgomery’s municipal airport, trained pilots from several allied nations, including the Tuskegee Airmen, and Maxwell served as headquarters for AAF operational training in the eastern United States.[2]

Air University

Air University was named in 1946 and dedicated that September, running a three-tier professional military education system. The Gunter Annex hosts the College of Enlisted Professional Military Education, the Senior NCO Academy and the Air Force Institute for Advanced Distributive Learning, and Maxwell and Gunter together employ more than 8,000 military and civilian personnel.[2]

FAQs

When did it start? 1918.

What is at Gunter Annex? Enlisted professional military education.

Sources

1. Encyclopedia of Alabama: Maxwell Air Force Base and Gunter Annex
2. Encyclopedia of Alabama: Maxwell Air Force Base and Gunter Annex

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 10, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue