Falcon Field History

Falcon Field, named after the British hunting bird, got its start during the early stages of World War II, when the United States agreed to help train combat pilots for the British Royal Air Force. Arizona's dry climate and wide open spaces made it an obvious choice for training of both air and ground troops. The airfield officially opened September, 1941 with the first training flight of a Boeing PT-17 "Stearman" biplane. When the war ended, Falcon Field was turned over to the city of Mesa and has become one of the 10 largest airports in the United States in terms of based aircraft.

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The pictures below were donated by Manny Interiano.  His Father, Oswaldo Interiano, was a Cadet at Falcon Field.  His cadet buddies called him "Ozzie" and his Lancaster crew just called him "Skipper."