Maxwell AFB

Maxwell Air Force Base (AFB), located in Montgomery, Alabama, has a rich military history dating back to its origins as Wright Field in 1918, established as a repair depot during World War I. In 1922, it was renamed Maxwell Field in honor of Second Lieutenant William C. Maxwell, an Alabama native who died in a plane crash in the Philippines. During World War II, Maxwell became a key site for pilot training and later emerged as a center for leadership development and education with the establishment of Air University in 1946. Today, Maxwell AFB remains the intellectual and leadership hub of the U.S. Air Force, hosting major organizations such as Air University and the 42nd Air Base Wing.