The Sarasota Bradenton Airport's story begins in the late 1930s, when forward-thinking leaders from Sarasota and Manatee counties recognized the need for an airport to support the region's growth. In 1939, they chose a 620-acre site along the county line, envisioning it as a gateway to the area’s future. With a grant from the Federal Works Progress Administration and the help of the Civilian Conservation Corps, construction began, and by May 1941, the Sarasota Manatee Joint Airport Authority was established, bringing together representatives from both counties and the cities of Sarasota and Bradenton. By early 1942, the airport was completed, poised to become a hub of progress and connection for the community.
At the time, Florida was sparsely populated, but its mild climate made it an ideal location for year-round training of U.S. Army bombers and fighter pilots. Remote sections of Sarasota County and Longboat Key were chosen for gunnery and bombing ranges, as detailed in Mark D. Smith’s article, “Sarasota County’s Bombing Ranges in WWII.” Four such ranges were established within Sarasota County, including the Fruitville Gun Range, located about a mile north of present-day Fruitville Road, near the Sarasota International Trade Center and Tatum Ridge Golf Course. Two U.S. Army bombing ranges were located near modern-day I-75 and U.S. 41, serving as key training targets for pilots.
Pilots primarily practiced with bombs filled with white and black powder, creating large clouds upon impact. Spotters would assess the accuracy of these drops and offer recommendations for improvement. Remarkably, the outlines of these target areas were still visible in aerial photos as late as 1957.
Soon after its completion, the Sarasota Army Airfield caught the attention of the Army Air Corps, which sought to use the facility for training fighter pilots during WWII. The AAC leased the airport for $1 million and renamed it Sarasota Army Airfield, investing several million more in upgrades, including a 250-acre expansion.
The airfield housed several training squadrons, including the 97th Bombardment Group, which moved from MacDill in March 1942 to train on B-17 Flying Fortresses. By June, the base, now a sub-base of MacDill, shifted its focus from bombers to fighters, with the 69th Fighter Squadron relocating from Drew Army Airfield to train on P-39 Airacobras. Sarasota Army Airfield's sub-bases included Bartow, St. Petersburg, Fort Myers, and Tampa, with auxiliary fields in Immokalee, Lake Wales, Punta Gorda, and Winter Haven. It also served as a stopover point for military aircraft en route to other locations, according to the Museum of Florida History.
Soldiers at the airfield worked long hours and maintained high physical fitness standards. They were warmly welcomed by the local community, often visiting nearby homes for dinner, as noted in “The Sarasota Army Airfield: The Role of Sarasota In World War II.” Local civic groups even built recreational facilities for the soldiers at the Municipal Auditorium and Municipal Pier, although these were only accessible to white soldiers, with Black airmen provided entertainment in a segregated facility.
The Army Air Corps also set up bombing targets nearby for practice, with many located on Longboat Key. However, these proved dangerous, as pilots often struggled to pull up in time. In 1943 alone, two planes crashed on Longboat Key, killing three pilots, and two others collided mid-air. The practice range also posed a nuisance to residents, blocking off the only bridge at the south end of the island during target practice (a second bridge at the north end wasn’t constructed until 1958).
The Sarasota Army Airfield was a vital hub during World War II, serving as a crucial training ground for the United States Army Air Forces. The pilots and aircrews who trained here played an essential role in securing the Allied victory. By late 1947, the land and facilities were returned to the Airport Authority. Though the airfield is now used exclusively for commercial purposes, its legacy remains deeply rooted in the community.
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ruthlawler
During WWII, my father was stationed at Sarasota Army Airfield. He was a Corporal in the Army Air Corps, and was assigned to repair and maintain aircraft. In 1951, my Dad and Mom moved from cold St. Louis, Mo. with 3 small children to enjoy a life in Florida's warmer climate. I was two years old. Ruth Lawler
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