Will Rogers World Airport - History

History

During World War II, Will Rogers Field was a major training facility for the United States Army Air Forces. Many fighter and bomber units were activated and received their initial training there.

Known USAAF groups stationed at Will Rogers Field were:

• 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) July 1942 - August 28, 1942
• 46th Bombardment Group (Light) November 1942 - October 1943
• 47th Bombardment Group (Light) February 16, 1942 - July 18, 1942
• 48th Bombardment Group (Light) May 22, 1941 - February 7, 1942
• 86th Bombardment Group (Light) February 10, 1942 - June 20, 1942
• 311th Bombardment Group (Light) March 2, 1942 - July 4, 1942
• 312th Bombardment Group (Light) June 1942 - August 1942
• 409th Bombardment Group (Light) June 1, 1943 - October 1943
• 410th Bombardment Group (Light) July 1, 1943 - October 1943
• 411th Bombardment Group (Light) August 1, 1943 - August 15, 1943
• 416th Bombardment Group (Light) February 5, 1943 - June 4, 1943
• 417th Bombardment Group (Light) March 28, 1943 - August 4, 1943
• 9th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) October 1, 1943 - May 6, 1944
• 2d Reconnaissance Group October 7, 1943 - May 1, 1944
• 70th Tactical Reconnaissance Group November 14, 1943 – November 30, 1943

After completion of their initial training, these units were reassigned to other airfields for secondary training prior to their deployment overseas.

By the late 1990s, the terminal building built in 1967 was deemed unsuitable by the Oklahoma City Airport Trust. Following the adoption of a three phase master plan, preparations for renovating the airport were launched in 2001. The old twin concourses (visible in the 1995 photograph) were demolished to make way for a larger, expanded terminal with integrated concourses, high ceilings, and modern facilities.

Great Plains Airlines, a regional airline based in Tulsa, made Will Rogers World Airport a hub in 2001, operating non-stop flights to Washington-Dulles and St. Louis, among other destinations. The airline ultimately desired access to other east and west coast markets, but financial problems forced it to declare bankruptcy and cease operations in 2004.

The airport constructed a new parking garage which increased capacity by a reported 40% due to increased passenger demand. Currently there are roughly 5,500 parking spaces at the airport.

A $110 million multi-phase expansion and renovation project, designed by Atkins Benham Inc. and Gensler, began in 2001. Phase-I involved erection of construction walkways from the five-storey parking garage to the terminal building, demolition of the terminal's existing elevator core, construction of new elevator and escalator cores on the tunnel level and on level one, building temporary entrance and exit ramps for vehicles approaching and leaving the terminal, reconstruction of the roofs of the lower level and level one, finishing the elevator and escalator cores to level two, building new permanent entry and exit ramps for vehicles and construction of a new transportation plaza and driving lanes. Phase-II included a new concourse constructed to the west of the central terminal area, which was renovated to match the interior and exterior designs of the new concourse. The 1960s-built concourses were then demolished after the new concourse opened in 2005. The entire phase was completed in November of 2006. Phase-III project exists which calls for the construction of a new concourse to the east, with at least eight additional gates as well as expanded retail, restaurant, and baggage areas. As of August 2009, this phase is on hold due to the downturn in the aviation industry and the resulting decrease in passenger demand.