Luke Field/Air Force Base and 56th Fighter Wing Heritage Pamphlet ...

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26 December 1941 Federal judge authorized government to seize cattle on Gila Bend
Range. Ranchers had grazing rights under Taylor Grazing Act
and refused to move herds after President Roosevelt issued his 5
September 1941 order. Judge's ruling prompted ranchers to
move herds.
December 1941 Heavy rains caused flooding; base covered with silt and debris.
9 January 1942 2d Lt Richard I. Bong completed AT-6 advanced training as a
member of Class 42-A. He was all-time top US ace with 40 kills
and received Medal of Honor.
2d Lt Richard I. Bong
as an Instructor Pilot at Luke in 1942
30 January 1942 Gila Bend Gunnery Range placed on exempted status.
18 March 1942 Executive Order 9104 issued and again allowed military use of
Gila Bend Range.
27 March 1942 First Chinese Air Force AT-6 class, 42-E, graduated 42 students.
25 May 1942 Project started to modify irrigation ditches/drainage canals to
carry excess flood waters away from base.
22 June 1942 Curtis P-40 Warhawk training began.
14 July 1942 Heavy rains filled canal near base and resulted in flood.
September 1942 Heavy rains damaged Luke Field and disrupted training.
12 September 1942 First Chinese Air Force P-40 class, 42-F, graduated 40 students.
2 October 1942 First Army Air Forces class completed P-40 training.
6 November 1942 Interior Department Order 56 issued allowing military use of Gila
Bend Range.
14 March 1943 Base's P-40 operational training unit revised into P-40 fighter
transition training program.