Port Townsend Army Air Field, Washington

Port Townsend Army Air Field was a World War II-era military air base located near Port Townsend in Jefferson County, Washington. Built as part of the coastal defense network, it supported training and patrol operations for the U.S. Army Air Forces. The site later transitioned to civilian use and is now Jefferson County International Airport.

The airfield was established in 1942 amid heightened concerns about Pacific coastal defense. It served as an auxiliary to major installations such as McChord Field and Fort Worden, providing dispersal and emergency landing capabilities. Its design followed standard Army Air Forces patterns: a single paved runway, small hangars, and temporary barracks.

During the war, Port Townsend Army Air Field hosted observation and training flights, primarily involving small liaison and patrol aircraft. Activities included gunnery spotting, navigation practice, and support for coastal artillery units stationed nearby. The base contributed to the defense of Puget Sound but did not host permanent combat squadrons.

After 1945 the airfield was declared surplus and transferred to local authorities under the War Assets Administration. The property was developed into Jefferson County International Airport, which retains much of the original layout. Remaining wartime structures are limited, though the field's orientation and footprint trace back to its military origins.