Pratt Army Air Field
| Pratt Army Air Field | |
|---|---|
| Part of Second Air Force | |
| Located Near: Pratt, Kansas | |
Pratt Army Air Field 1943 | |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 37°42′18″N 098°45′15″W / 37.70500°N 98.75417°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1942 |
| In use | 1942-1945 |
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Pratt Army Air Field is a closed United States Army Air Forces base. It is located 4 miles (6.4 km) north-northwest of Pratt, Kansas, and was closed in 1946. Today it is used as Pratt Regional Airport.
Pratt Army Air Field (AAF) is significantly historic as it was the first United States Army Air Forces B-29 Superfortress station, receiving the prototype YB-29 bomber in the summer of 1943. Along with Walker Army Air Field near Victoria, Great Bend Army Air Field near Great Bend and Smoky Hill Army Air Field near Salina, the initial cadre of the 58th Bombardment Wing was formed. The 58th Bomb Wing was the first B-29 combat wing of World War II and engaged in the first long-range strategic bombardment of the Japanese Home Islands beginning in March 1944 from bases in India.