The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Doolittle at Eglin Field

From Wikipedia.

Actually, Col. Doolittle and his raiders trained at Auxiliary Field 1 at Eglin Field (now Eglin AFB). Construction of the field began 27 November 1940. The field was renamed Wagner Field 10 October 1943 for Major Walter J. Wagner, commanding officer 1st Proving Ground, Eglin Field, who was killed in the crash of a A1-6C-NT Texan at Auxiliary Field 2.

Much of Doolittle's Raid and the much-later Operation Credible Sport (the failed rescue of the Iranian hostages) took place at Wagner Field.

Doolittle's training at Eglin Field commenced 1 March 1942, where, for three weeks, the Raiders practiced simulated aircraft carrier take-offs until they were able to do it in the length available. On March 25, 1942, 22 B-25s took off from Eglin and flew to McClellan Field, California.

So, We Were By There About Two and a Half Months Early, 70 Years Later. Getting Close to History. --GreGen

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