Maxwell AFB

• Origins as a WWI Depot: Maxwell Air Force Base traces its origins to 1918, when it was established as Engine and Repair Depot Number 3 during World War I, serving as a repair facility for Army aircraft. • Named after a Hero: The base was named in honor of Second Lieutenant William C. Maxwell, a native of Atmore, Alabama, who died in a plane crash in the Philippines in 1920 while avoiding a group of children. • Birthplace of Air University: Maxwell AFB is best known as the home of Air University, established in 1946, which serves as the intellectual and leadership center of the U.S. Air Force. • Role in the Tuskegee Airmen Story: The nearby Gunter Annex (once Gunter Field) was integral to the training of the famous Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first African American military pilots. • Historic Airpower Advocate: General Billy Mitchell, a proponent of airpower, conducted many of his influential lectures at Maxwell, helping shape early Air Force doctrine. • Montgomery’s Historic Landmark: Maxwell AFB is located in Montgomery, Alabama, a city famous for its role in the civil rights movement, linking the base to important chapters in American history. • Wartime Training Hub: During WWII, Maxwell became a major pilot training base, preparing thousands of airmen for combat in Europe and the Pacific. • Air Force ROTC Headquarters: Maxwell serves as the headquarters for the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC), overseeing programs at over 1,100 colleges and universities. • Notable Alumni: Many future Air Force leaders, including several Chiefs of Staff, attended professional military education at Maxwell. • Annual Air Show Tradition: Maxwell AFB regularly hosts air shows and open houses, drawing crowds with demonstrations by the Thunderbirds and showcasing military aviation history.