Wyoming
Wyoming History: Casper Air Base Was Last Stop For WWII Bomber Crews Heading To War
The day Casper Army Air Base activated Sept. 1, 1942, the banner headline in the Casper Tribune-Herald read “Rommel Launches Offensive.”
The World War II German general nicknamed the “Desert Fox” had launched his North Africa campaign in an escalation of World War II.
But in Casper, the first of nearly 1,800 10-man bomber crews would soon be arriving to cycle through the base’s 10- to 12-week training. They were preparing to head for Europe, Africa and the Pacific in B-17s to challenge Rommel and other forces of German-Japan Axis.
Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum Director John Woodward said the central Wyoming air base located where Casper/Natrona International Airport now sits was the last stop for World War II Army air crews headed overseas.
The base was built quickly that year to train the bomber crews for combat, and it became the training ground for a dominant part of America’s fight for freedom from the air. By the end of the war, an estimated 16,000 to 18,000 had trained there.
The Role
Plans developed by the Army Air Force called for the base to house an entire bombardment group that would typically house four squadrons of 18 heavy bombers in each squadron.
“Think of it as this is where the band got together,” Woodward said. “They had learned their instruments elsewhere, but this is where they were learning to work and fight as a team.”
Initially, the base operated as an operational training unit (OTU), and the 331st Bombardment Group trained pilots on B-17s and other members of the crew worked to keep their skills sharp. Crews would get assigned at the base and together would be sent overseas to fly as a team.
In early 1943, as the war progressed and air groups suffered heavy losses, the air base mission changed to being a replacement training unit (RTU). The base also transitioned to B-24 aircraft in April 1943. As an RTU, the needs overseas dictated whether the crews would stay together once deployed overseas or be assigned individually to existing crews that had lost men.
Bomber crews consisted of 10 that included the pilot, co-pilot, navigator, bombardier, flight engineer, radioman and gunners.
Creating the base was no easy task. As the summer of 1942 approached, the Army Corps of Engineers was given a budget of $10 million to get the base operational by Sept. 15, 1942. That figure in today’s dollars would be more than $191 million.
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A B-24 combat crew in training at the Casper Army Air Base, ca. 1944. Enlisted man Ernest Reynolds, of Thermopolis, Wyo., top left. One hundred forty Casper Army Air Base aviators perished in 90 plane crashes in training. Many more died later in combat. (Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum via Wyohistory.org) -
A B-24 flies over the Casper Army Air Base in 1944. (Wyohistory.org) -
A view of downtown Casper during World War II, when the city was home to an air base that trained thousands of bomber crews. (Courtesy Western History Center at Casper College)
Infrastructure
In addition to runways and associated road infrastructure for the base, needs called for a railroad spur, warehouses, hangars, administration building, base chapel, barracks, dining hall and more.
With the need to build a base quickly, troops stationed there soon learned their barracks did not do well coping with the dust driven by Wyoming’s famous wind. The structures also didn’t optimally handle the snow and frigid temperatures of the winter.
“Soldiers regularly found thick layers of dust on their clothes, blankets and bunks,” a display at the museum relates. “Snow replaced dust during the rest of the year. … Some soldiers called the conditions ‘fighting the Battle of Casper.’”
Visitors to the Veteran’s Museum will learn that the base used specially trained civilian firefighters to deal with aircraft mishaps, and there were many. There were 90 crashes that occurred while the base was in operation.
“Those are major crashes that resulted in a fatality or near fatality,” Woodward said. “Smaller incidents that would have happened, like a crushed nose gear along the flight line or (an accident that) wasn’t significant, we do not have records of those. Just the ones that resulted in the loss of aircraft or the loss of life.”
Among the crashes was one in Mills and another on Casper Mountain.
In all, 140 men died in 90 crashes while training in Casper.
Female Mechanics
Members of the base fire department were not the only non-military personnel who worked on the base. A repair facility at the air base employed 800 civilians, mostly women, and they performed basic as well as more complex repairs to the aircraft, included replacing wings or tails.
As a training base, there also was a need for places where aircraft gunners and bombardiers could keep their skills sharp.
An air-to-ground gunnery range near the border of Fremont and Natrona counties gave crews about 55 square miles of space to send down painted ammunition that allowed trainers to help crews gain expertise.
The air base also had four bombing ranges that offered bombardiers big bullseyes for a target.
“Each practice bomb was a thin metal shell filled with sand and included a small explosive ‘flash’ charge in the nose,” according to a museum display. “Bombardiers relied on their specialized Norden Bombsights during training. These specialized, mechanical computers allowed crews to be very precise in dropping their bombs.”
Bob Hope Visit
Newspaper accounts show that after only a few months of operation, a special visitor arrived at the base. Comedian Bob Hope stepped out of a B-17 as part of a morale tour for troops stationed at the base.
An army air base newspaper called Slip Stream quoted Hope quipping about the B-17s: “It’s a Flying Fortress and that should be saying enough about that. They are as good as their reputation. I rode in every position on the plane and I like the ball turret best. It’s good for a hangover.”
As the war progressed, in March 1944, the 211th Army Air Force Base unit assumed command of the air base and training needs. The base’s last training class graduated Feb. 23, 1945.
Woodward said there are still an estimated 85 buildings from the time that remain standing in their original location. The museum building was once a club for enlisted men. All of the four hangars that once housed the heavy bombers still are in use at the airport.
“There are more (buildings from the base) that exist in Casper that were moved in the 1950s,” Woodward said. “And there are others that are scattered about central Wyoming that were sold to ranchers and farmers.”
Casper Army Air Base was officially deactivated March 7, 1945, just two months before Germany and its allies in Europe surrendered May 8, 1945. Personnel at the base were transferred to other military facilities. Victory over Japan would come Aug. 14, 1945.
“The county assumed operational control for the air base grounds in 1949,” Woodward said. “The base was officially deeded over in 1952, and before that was done the federal government did a sale and donation to different groups around Casper.”
Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.
A pristine trail town tucked into the breathtaking beauty of western Wyoming, Dubois puts the ‘wild’ in the Wild West. Just 55 miles from Yellowstone National Park and located in the Wind River, Owl Creek, and Absaroka mountain ranges, the town is a welcoming alpine community with stunning views from every street. From enjoying the fresh powder on the winter slopes to hiking, biking, or riding through the wildflower-covered peaks in the summer, Dubois is a year-round destination that offers adventure in every season. In addition to its serene location, Dubois is a vibrant town with lots on the menu from fine dining to lively western-style saloons.
The History of Dubois
The Wind River Valley remained sparsely populated until the late 1800s, when pioneering homesteaders established the first settlements, initiating a small yet lively community. While fur traders, explorers, and some Native American tribes were familiar with the area, it was the arrival of homesteaders that helped shape its identity. This led to the emergence of a town, supported by the expansion of cattle and sheep ranching.
Dubois was officially incorporated in 1914 and grew over the years, benefiting from its logging, farming, and tourism sectors. Today, with a population of 778 as of the 2022 census, Dubois remains true to its Western heritage, offering visitors an authentic cowboy experience.
Things to Do in Dubois
Get that cowboy experience at one of the oldest guest ranches in the country, the CM Ranch which opened in 1927. It doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced rider, or never been on a horse, the experienced staff at this busy dude ranch will show you the ropes. Guests can choose their own adventure, from riding trails through desert badlands and mountain highlands to fly fishing in the backcountry.
Dubois is located in mountain country, possibly the only place where you can observe three distinct types of mountains: those formed by glaciers, volcano-created peaks, and ranges caused by shifting underground plates. It is a haven and playground for nature lovers. If you prefer walking over riding, numerous local guides are available to help you explore the trails and enjoy the best vistas. For those who prefer to go alone, the Bonneville Pass Trail offers a scenic climb through valley meadows, while the Five Pockets Trail provides spectacular views of Horse Creek with the Absaroka Mountains as a backdrop.
Look out for ancient carvings while you are exploring; Wyoming is home to stunning examples of rock art. In the Wind River Range, you will find the Torrey Lake Petroglyph District, which includes around 175 well-preserved petroglyphs. For more information on where to see the best pictograms or find accessible trails, speak to the staff at the Dubois Museum. This specialty museum traces the geology of the area, its early inhabitants, and its history of homesteading. They also offer custom guided tours of petroglyphs, native sheep trap and buffalo drive sites, and more.
Dubois is a favorite spot for anglers, featuring pristine lakes, streams, and rivers teeming with fish like rainbow trout, brook trout, and cutthroat trout. Try casting your line at Torrey Creek. The waters aren’t just for fishing; you can also enjoy kayaking or canoeing, or relax with a float trip guided by Wind River Float Trips.
In winter, the country is even more beautiful, and there are still lots of ways to enjoy it. Go ice-fishing, take a dog-sled ride through the snowy wonderland, or try cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Downtown Dubois
Many Wild West legends have strolled through Dubois, including the infamous outlaw Butch Cassidy. While things may have changed over time, the town still radiates quirky character and Western charm. After a day outdoors, grab a bite at the Rustic Pine Tavern, open since 1919, or visit the Outlaw Bar and Saloon. Once called the Branding Iron Inn, the Outlaw Bar has remained a beloved Dubois gathering spot for generations.
In the summer months, the town hosts the Dubois Friday Night Rodeo, which runs through June, July, and August. The family-friendly event features Mutton Bustin, Calf Riding, Mini Bull Riding, Pee Wee Barrel Racing, and more.
What Makes Dubois Different
Dubois remains a timeless town nestled amid Wyoming’s towering mountain ranges. This cowboy haven has preserved its natural beauty and charm for centuries, attracting explorers, pioneers, hunters, and adventurers. Visitors can saddle up at a dude ranch, scale mountain peaks, fish or float on glacial rivers, and unwind at the local rodeo—offering an ideal setting for unforgettable experiences and a break from everyday life.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Western Wyoming Community College placed second at the NJCAA Wrestling Championships on Saturday, finishing with 188 team points and producing nine All-Americans, including four national runners-up. Their 188 points are the second-most all-time.
Indian Hills repeated as national champion with 201.5 points, the most points of all time, while Iowa Central finished third with 145.5. Western improved on last year’s third-place finish while sending four wrestlers to the championship round, the most runner-up finishes at the tournament, though the Mustangs were unable to secure an individual national title.
Zach Marrero reached the championship match at 133 pounds after earning a 4-2 decision in the semifinals. In the final, Marrero faced Indian Hills’ Olli Webb. The two were tied 1-1 after three periods before Webb secured a sudden-victory takedown to win 4-1.
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At 165 pounds, Banks Norby advanced to the finals with an 8-7 semifinal decision over Tom Stoll of Northeastern Junior College. Norby then faced Henry Dillingham of Clackamas in the championship match. Dillingham scored seven points in the third period to pull away, and Norby was unable to record a takedown as he finished second.
Banks Love also reached the championship bout at 184 pounds. Love snuck past Asadbek Fayzullaev of Northwest 10-9 in the semifinals. In the final, he fell to Jarrel Miller of Iowa Central 16-9. Love scored seven points in the final period, but Miller also scored nine in the period to secure the win.
At 197 pounds, Trevyn Gates reached the finals after pinning Samuel Montoya of Southeast Nebraska in the semifinals. Gates’ run ended in the championship match when he was pinned in 2:03, giving him a runner-up finish.
Western also had two wrestlers earn third-place finishes.
At 125 pounds, Stockton Allen dropped his semifinal match by technical fall but responded in the consolation bracket. Allen secured third place with a fall in 1:27 over Truth Vesey of Harper.
Green River’s Tommy Dalton also placed third at 149 pounds. Dalton lost in the semifinals by fall in 4:22 but rebounded with a 17-6 major decision to reach the third-place match. He then defeated Ayson Rice of Southeast Nebraska 9-3 to earn the bronze.
Francisco Ayala finished fifth at 174 pounds. After dropping into the consolation bracket, Ayala won two of his three matches to reach the fifth-place bout, where he defeated Iowa Western’s Matteo Nikolov 4-2. Trailing 1-0 entering the final period, Ayala secured a takedown with 12 seconds remaining to claim the win.
Dmitri Alarcon placed sixth at 141 pounds. Alarcon lost in the semifinals by fall before dropping a 20-9 decision in the consolation bracket. In the fifth-place match, he led 5-2 after the opening period but gave up a four-point nearfall in the second and fell 6-5.
At 157 pounds, Hixon Canto finished seventh. After advancing through the consolation bracket Friday, Canto lost a 6-4 decision Saturday before taking seventh place by medical forfeit.
Heavyweight Kort Wilkinson saw his tournament end a day earlier. Wilkinson was one point away from the quarterfinals before falling to Cito Tuttle of Rochester 3-2 in double overtime. He won two matches in the consolation bracket before losing a 5-0 decision to Naasir Edmonds, ending his season on the opening day of the tournament.
Western Wyoming’s second-place finish marks an improvement from its third-place result at the 2025 NJCAA Wrestling Championships and caps a season that also included the program’s ninth straight Region 9/Plains District title.
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