In 1967 the base was closed and operations ceased on July 1, 1967. Today little is left of the history of this former military base. From 1941 to 1942 it was known as the Roswell Army Flying School. From 1942 to 1947 it was known as Roswell Army Airfield. From 1947 to 1948 it was known as Roswell Air Force Base. From 1948 until closing in 1967, it was known as Walker Air Force Base. The institution’s last name was in honor of General Kenneth Newton Walker, a native of Los Cerrillos, New Mexico, who was killed in a bomb attack over Rabaul, New Britain, Papua, New Guinea on January 5, 1943. After his group hit nine Japanese ships, General Walker’s plane was last seen leaving the target with an engine burning and several Japanese fighters at the stern. For his bravery, General Walker was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1943.
The old control tower. (Photo credit Alan Armstrong)
If you walk across the campus of this former military site, the old control tower as well as a number of aircraft hangars, office buildings and maintenance workshops are still standing. Although the City of Roswell has set up a new fire station in the field, the general appearance of the facility is that of a rundown former military airfield, which is now lost to most Americans. The airfield is littered with what appears to be hundreds of aging jetliners, some of which are being put into storage and others broken into for salvage. In short, the old Roswell Army Airfield is now an aircraft yard.
Two Americans who have not lost their awe of the historic significance of this enclosed military facility are Johnny Stites and his wife Maralea. Mr. and Mrs. Stites maintain the Walker Aviation Museum in the terminal building of the airport. This humble museum is adorned with aviation artifacts and models of military aircraft to pay homage to the fallen who ensured and protected our freedoms during World War II and after. Entrance to the museum is free, there is a grill next to the museum. A large model of a B-29 Superfortress stands high above the grill tables.
The museum. (Photo credit Walker Aviation Museum Foundation)
If your trip ever takes you anywhere near Roswell, New Mexico, check out the Walker Aviation Museum and this gated military facility in southeastern New Mexico.
Alan Armstrong is an Atlanta aviation attorney. He is listed in Martindale Hubbell’s publication Preeminent Lawyers. Alan has spoken frequently to pilots and aviation groups on aviation law issues. He testified before the House Aviation Subcommittee and ran a sham trial at Sun-N-Fun. As a professional pilot with flight instructor privileges, Alan has flown a number of vintage cars. Alan, along with two other pilots, owns and flies a replica Nakajima B5N2 Kate bomber and is a pilot in the Commemorative Air Force’s Dixie Wing. The replica Kate bomber was featured in the 20th Century Fox film “Tora! Torah! Torah! ” More details about this aircraft can be found at www.japanesebomber.com.
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