Salt Lake City Army Air Base, Utah

Salt Lake City Army Air Base was a major United States Army Air Forces installation established during World War II in Salt Lake City, Utah. It served as a vital logistics and training hub for the western United States, supporting aircraft maintenance, personnel deployment, and material distribution across Pacific and domestic theaters.

Constructed in 1940 adjacent to the municipal airport, the base was part of the U.S. Army Air Corps' rapid expansion before America's entry into World War II. It became the Salt Lake City Air Depot, a key facility for aircraft assembly, maintenance, and parts distribution to combat units. The depot employed thousands of military and civilian workers, making it one of Utah's largest wartime employers.

Beyond logistics, the base processed aircrews and support personnel en route to overseas commands. Various bomber and transport units trained or staged there, taking advantage of Utah's dry climate and open airspace. The base also coordinated with Hill Field (now Hill Air Force Base) to manage aircraft repair and supply operations across the western region.

After World War II, activity at the base declined as the Air Forces consolidated operations. In 1946, most military functions ceased, and the property was transferred to the city. The former base area was integrated into the expanding Salt Lake City Municipal Airport, today's Salt Lake City International Airport.