The airfield was built during the spring of 1918 as a main operating base for the
First Army Air Service. Two airfields were built at Vaucouleurs, Vaucouleurs (North) being constructed to the northwest of the village, the support Aerodrome built in a forested area for camouflage west of the airfield in some agricultural fields used for flying. Vaucouleurs (South) was built just to the west of the village; it was to be occupied jointly by American and French squadrons during the St Mihiel Offensive and equipped with several batteries of French landing lights so it could be used for night operations.
Locations The site of Vaucouleurs (North) was selected for Air Service use in January 1918. The general region was chosen as the center for the future American Sector and the site was one of those available after three years of use by the French. It was located 75 kilometers from the front line, considered safe for use by pursuit (fighter) aircraft. The terrain at Vaucouleurs (North) was the first airfield built by the Americans for pursuit aircraft to be used in combat. In July five pursuit squadrons were moved to Vaucouleurs, and headquarters of the
3d Pursuit Group was established there on 30 July. To accommodate five squadrons of aircraft, two airfields were established, Vaucouleurs North and Vaucouleurs South. From the aerodrome, the group carried out offensive operations during the
St. Mihiel Offensive and also over the Toul Sector. At the end of September, the Group moved to
Lisle-en-Barrois Aerodrome, in preparation for the
Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Afterwards, Vaucouleurs Aerodrome was unused for the remainder of the war. Eventually the land was returned to agricultural use by the local farmers. Today, what was Vaucouleurs Airdrome is located to the east of the Départmental 964 (D964), north of Vaucouleurs. Vaucouleurs South is located to the northwest of the town, to the north of the D960. Both airfields are now cultivated fields, with no indications of their wartime use. ==Known units assigned==