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Since the time that the first Spanish soldier set foot in this area
San Antonio has been a military center. Battles have been
fought in this immediate area between Spanish Royalists and colonial
settlers, Mexicans and Texicans, Indians and practically all
of the others. In the modern era San Antonio has become known as
Military City, U.S.A. Teddy Roosevelt raised the Spanish War
First Volunteer United States Cavalry and brought it to San Antonio
to train. Colonel Roosevelt cooled his heels at the bar of the
Menger Hotel. It is still there if you want to do so.
The World War I era brought the establishment of the
Leon Springs Military Reservation. It has been in
continuous use by active duty forces (Army and Air Force), reserves
and the Texas National Guard.
Fort Sam Houston is the home of military aviation.
Lieutenant Benjamin Foulois brought the first Army airplane to Fort
Sam Houston. His flight training consisted of corresponding
with the Wright Brothers. Lt. Foulois flew some experimental
flights and on March 2 flew four demonstration flights for
observers.
Kelly Field was established in 1999 to train Army aviators.
Over the years Kelly Field had many missions most significantly as a
repair depot. Kelly Air Force Base was closed in 1999 and
turned over to civilian authorities. It is now known as Kelly
U.S.A. with civilian and military tenants. The Air Force
retained control of the runways, control towers, taxiways and
aviation operations.
Kelly
Field has been designated as an historic district.
Brooks Field followed in 2002 and is now known as Brooks City
Base with civilian and military tenants.
Lackland Air Force Base began as part of Kelly Field on 15 June
1941. One year later it became the independent San Antonio
Aviation Cadet Center. On 3 Feb 1948 the 7,000 acre base
was renamed Lackland Air Force Base. It became known as the
"Gateway to the Air Force" providing initial basic training to all
non-prior service enlistees of the regular Air Force, Air National
Guard, and Air Force Reserve. |
