The history of Amarillo’s primary aviation hub is a captivating saga of transformation, reflecting the evolving needs of both civilian travel and national defense. What began as a modest private airstrip has grown into the modern Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport, a vital gateway for the Texas Panhandle. This journey saw it serve as a pivotal military training ground, the Amarillo Air Force Base, leaving an indelible mark on the region and even altering the path of the legendary Route 66.
For those interested in American aviation or the historical development of significant regional centers, the story of the Amarillo Airport offers rich insights into how infrastructure adapts and endures through various eras, from early barnstorming to the jet age and beyond.
The Humble Beginnings: English Field’s Dawn
Before the vast runways and modern terminals, the area now known as Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport had humble beginnings. As early as 1920, the Panhandle Aerial Service utilized the site for charter flights and thrilling air stunts, demonstrating the early human fascination with flight. However, it was Harold English who truly formalized its operations, establishing English Field in 1929. This foundational step marked the beginning of organized aviation in Amarillo, setting the stage for future growth and impact.
English Field quickly became a beacon for commercial aviation. Within a short period, Transcontinental & Western Air (TWA’s forerunner) initiated the first commercial airline services through Amarillo. This pioneering effort soon attracted other major carriers, including Braniff International, Continental Airlines, and Trans-Texas Airways (later Texas International), all of whom expanded flight offerings to regional hubs like Lubbock and Dallas, and eventually to diverse national destinations. The airport’s strategic location and growing infrastructure fostered a flourishing commercial air travel scene in the Texas Panhandle.
Amarillo’s Military Chapters: Army Air Field to Air Force Base
World War II: Amarillo Army Air Field
Adjacent to the burgeoning English Field, the exigencies of World War II necessitated the establishment of the Amarillo Army Air Field in April 1942. Under the command of Colonel Edward C. Black, construction of vital facilities commenced rapidly. Despite ongoing building efforts, pilot and ground mechanic training began in September of the same year, initially focusing on the iconic B-17 aircraft. As the war progressed, training expanded to include the formidable B-29 bombers, equipping thousands of personnel for the aerial combat theater. With the cessation of hostilities, the Amarillo Army Air Field was decommissioned on September 15, 1946, its buildings either repurposed for peacetime use or dismantled.
The Cold War Era: Amarillo Air Force Base
The post’s quiet period was brief. In March 1951, amidst rising Cold War tensions, the facility was reactivated and renamed Amarillo Air Force Base. This marked a significant milestone as it became the Air Force’s first dedicated all-jet mechanic-training base. The base’s mission quickly expanded beyond U.S. soldiers, welcoming trainees from numerous foreign countries, solidifying its role as a crucial international training center. The growth was exponential; within just a year, the program reached its planned maximum of 3,500 students, expanding further to 5,000 by 1955.
The base continued to diversify its technical training offerings, introducing a specialized missile-training department in 1957. A year later, a vital supply and administration school was relocated to Amarillo from Wyoming, further enhancing the base’s comprehensive training capabilities. By 1959, the base was redesignated as the Amarillo Technical Training Center, following an agreement with the 4128th Strategic Air Wing and the Air Training Command. By May 1960, the illustrious jet-mechanic school had successfully graduated approximately 100,000 students, in addition to training countless others in essential administrative, procurement, and supply roles, cementing the Amarillo Air Force Base as a cornerstone of national defense training.
Decommissioning and Transition to Civilian Use
Despite its significant contributions, the winds of change began to blow for the Amarillo Air Force Base in 1964 when the U.S. Department of Defense initiated plans for its closure. In February 1966, it briefly operated as the 3330th Basic Military School before graduating its final cohort of troops in December 1968. By the end of that month, the base was closed permanently, a decision that caused considerable economic distress and chagrin among Amarillo’s local businesses, which had thrived on supporting the large military community.
In its prime, the base was a self-sufficient city, sprawling over more than 5,000 acres. It boasted a full-service hospital, a church, numerous advanced training buildings, and extensive housing for both troops and officers, representing a massive infrastructural investment that would soon be repurposed.
The Rebirth: Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport
Concurrently with the military base’s operations, the adjacent English Field had also experienced substantial expansion, leading to its renaming as the Amarillo Air Terminal by 1952. Upon the Air Force base’s closure, a significant portion of its land was seamlessly converted to civilian use, integrating into the expanding Amarillo Air Terminal. The crowning jewel of this transition was the 13,502-foot primary runway, originally constructed by the Strategic Air Command. For many years, this formidable runway stood as the longest commercial runway in the United States, and it continues to be utilized by military pilots to this day, a testament to its enduring strategic importance. Today, its length is surpassed by only a few elite airports, such as JFK International in New York.
The repurposed facilities of the former base found new life in September 1970 when the Amarillo branch of the Texas State Technical Institute took over many buildings, subsequently evolving into the east campus of Amarillo College. Even the base’s housing units were sold to individuals, many of which remain residential homes today, forming part of the local community.
Further enhancing its international capabilities and stature, the airport officially changed its name to Amarillo International Airport in 1976, coinciding with the opening of a crucial U.S. Customs facility. The most recent and poignant renaming occurred in 2003, when it was christened the Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport, a heartfelt tribute to Amarillo native and NASA astronaut Richard Douglas Husband, who tragically perished in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in February of that year.
Route 66’s Unseen Path
The extensive development of the airport, particularly the construction and extension of its primary runway for the Air Force base, had a profound impact on one of America’s most iconic roadways: Route 66. The original alignment of the Mother Road was bisected by the massive runway, making that historic segment one of the very few in Texas that remains completely inaccessible to modern travelers. Route 66 enthusiasts seeking to trace its original path through Amarillo are faced with a necessary detour, heading north to Highway 60 to reconnect with Amarillo Boulevard, or opting for a return to I-40 to continue their journey. This permanent alteration serves as a powerful reminder of how major infrastructure projects can reshape historical pathways.
Today, the original Route 66 ends abruptly at a high fence, adorned with restriction warnings, a stark boundary marking the airport’s expansion. For those continuing their journey, the recommended path leads to Highway 60, where glimpses of old service areas can still be seen before merging onto Amarillo Boulevard, a stretch that proudly displays numerous vintage travel stops along its eastern end, offering a nostalgic nod to Route 66’s golden era.
A Legacy Preserved and Evolving
While some aspects of the airport’s past have faded, much of its rich history remains tangible. The original English Field terminal building enjoyed a brief second life as an Air Museum, opening in 1997. However, after a decade, it closed its doors in 2007, and its exhibits were subsequently sold off. Today, a tour through what was once the sprawling Amarillo Air Force Base reveals a mix of old buildings, some showing the wear and tear of time and others still in active use. Amarillo College continues to utilize many of these structures, albeit having seen better days, integrating them into their modern campus. Perhaps the best-preserved relic is the old base church, which remarkably continues to serve its parishioners, a quiet testament to the enduring spirit of the community that once thrived within those grounds. The legacy of Amarillo’s aviation past, from a small field to a significant international airport, is deeply interwoven with the city’s identity, representing a remarkable journey through military service, commercial progress, and local heritage.
