George Air Force Base was established on
12 July 1941. Initially, called Victorville Army
Airfield, the base was renamed in honor of the
late Brigadier General Harold H. George
in September, 1950. The base activated on
1 October 1941 and training began in February
1942 on AT-9's, AT-6's, and AT-17's for pilots,
and AT-11's and BT-13's for bombardiers. The
first class of flying cadets graduated on
24 April 1942. During 1943, the following
aircraft were assigned: C-60A, C-47, C-53,
L-4A, L-4E, L-3C, PT-15, L-3B, and CG-4A
gliders. In March, 1944, a new transition school
for P-39 single-engine pursuit pilots arrived.
The war years also included training crew
members in the B-24 and B-25. On 12 October
1945, all flying operations ceased and the Army
placed the installation on a stand-by status.
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