In February 1942, construction work commenced for an airfield at Tocumwal near the Newell Highway. The project was highly prioritized, and over 7,000 US servicemen were deployed to assist in labour. By May 1942, it was mostly completed, and was named McIntyre Field in honor of Captain Patrick W. McIntyre, who was killed on 5 June, 1942, whilst testing a bombardment aircraft. The airfield was equipped with four 6,000 foot long runways, 70 miles worth of taxiways and road with aircraft dispersals, 5 large wooden hangars to house B-24 Liberators, 450 buildings, ammunition bunkers, engine test bays, and a 200-bed hospital. Subsequently, the
United States Army Air Forces began using the airfield. General
George Kenney is reputed to have said "Mighty fine base – now shift it 2,000 miles closer to the enemy" during an inspection of the airfield. working on a
B-24 Liberator at Tocumwal in 1944
RAAF usage On 9 November, 1942, the
Royal Australian Air Force took over operations, and renamed it to Tocumwal Airfield. RAAF Station Tocumwal was officially established. At peak operations, up to 4,500 RAAF personnel and 400 Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force personnel were stationed at Tocumwal Airfield.
Post-war 200 houses from the base were relocated to
Canberra in the 1940s to address a housing shortage. The vast majority were relocated to
a small precinct in the suburb of
O'Connor, and in 2004 were added to the ACT Heritage Register. On 1 October, 1960, the RAAF disestablished Tocumwal Airfield as a base, leaving 50 aircraft for disposal organised by the Department of Supply. A closing ceremony was held, and was attended by Captain G. Pither and six officers from RAAF Base Laverton, and 60 Tocumwal residents. The Air Force flag was lowered for the final time at 10:15 AM, and was presented to the Shire County to be displayed at the local memorial hall. On 15 October, 1960, ownership of the airfield was transferred to the
Department of Civil Aviation where it became become a glider field today. The remaining four large wooden hangars were used for storage, including wheat and grain stocks and later a dozen
Republic of Singapore Air Force Hawker Hunters acquired by an Australian dealer. == Units ==