Contact Information
Maxwell-Gunter AFB is a military installation established in Montgomery and operated by the Air Force. It is named in the memory of William C. Maxwell, a native lieutenant. The popularity of this base was way higher in its early years compared to the current times. It played a major role in the first years of US aviation. These days, it mostly operates as an aviation university, training some of the most prolific pilots of the world. The general motto of this base is simple – fly, fight and win.
History
The history of this base starts in 1910. The Wright brothers decided to open a basic flying school on this place in February, 2010. They used to teach people the basic flying operations, such as taking off, turning or landing. However, the school was closed a few months later, in May. Since the place was already prepared, it served as a repair depot throughout World War I. By the end of the war, its activity was seriously diminished. The site had a hard life between the two major wars of the last century. It was not so popular in the area, therefore the government decided to shut it down, along with 31 other facilities.
Until 1931, the future of the base was uncertain. In 1931, the government opened the Air Corps Tactical School in the camp. Years later, it became the most important installation for the Air Force as the United States were preparing to join World War II. It played a major role in the war, with a professional school training pilots on the line and an advanced training course for the already experienced pilots. Over the few years of the war, the place hosted not less than 6 different schools.
Ever since then, Maxwell-Gunter AFB was a priority for the US government. It took advantage of numerous upgrades and updates and successfully stood up to the expectations, regardless of the opportunity. It helped during the Korean War, the Vietnam War or the latest operations from Afghanistan and Iraq.
The base became so popular that it also shows up in a famous video game – Tom Clancy’s EndWar – as a potential battlefield.
Units
Maxwell-Gunter AFB currently hosts the Air University and the 42nd Air Base Wing. The Air University provides all sorts of courses, from basic lessons to advanced military techniques of the latest generation. Therefore, it is open for anyone, both civilians willing to earn a degree and professional pilots who want to push their limits. On the other hand, the 42nd Air Base Wing has one purpose – the defense of the United States of America. It trains pilots for this reason, not to mention about the constant operations for the defense of the base.
Housing
In order to live at Maxwell-Gunter AFB, you need to define your reason. If you are there for the Air University, you will most likely be hosted at one of the camps. The less fortunate students will have to find a home on their own, whether they rent one on or off site.