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- Lomita Flight
Strip
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- At the time of World War II, Lomita Field
was an ideal location to train P-38 Fighter Pilots. From June
1942 until April 1944 five squadrons of Lockheed P-38 Lightning
fighters were based here, each with 40 officers, 200 enlisted
men and 25 aircraft. As they fine tuned their combat skills prior
to deployment to bases in England. By mid 1944 Sixth Ferry Command
at Long Beach took charge and field activity quickly grew to
2500-3500 movements per month as pilots checked out new war birds
prior to delivery to points throughout the world.
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- Brigadier General Robin Olds, famed ace
of World War II, Korea and Vietnam and later Air Force Academy
Commandant of Cadet's began his career here as a fledgling P-38
pilot. Colonel Art Jeffrey, 8th Air Force ace with 14 aerial
kills led "C" flight of the 434th Fighter Squadron
from Lomita. Record setting Olympian Captain Louis Zamperini,
a bombardier and Torrance native, returned from WW II to have
the field named in his honor.
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- By late 1946, upon recommendation of the
CAA, the field was deeded to the City Of Torrance despite heavy
private demand for its 490 prime acres. A Master Plan in 1948
envisioned a second parallel runway and bevy of commercial shops
and aeronautical services. A new Control tower sprang up in 1961,
the second runway, taxi ways, lights, and other improvements
were completed by 1963.
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