Cape Field at Fort Glenn, Military historic district in Umnak Island, Alaska
Cape Field at Fort Glenn is a World War II military airfield on Umnak Island, featuring four runways made of pierced steel planking and numerous barracks, ammunition storage buildings, and artillery positions. The structures are spread across the terrain in varying states of preservation.
The base was rapidly built in 1942 following the Pearl Harbor attack to defend Alaska, constructed in secret under the cover story of a cannery. It became central to defending against Japanese operations in the region during the war.
The military installation brought thousands of soldiers to this remote Aleutian island during World War II, dramatically transforming the small existing community. This sudden human presence reshaped the landscape and daily rhythm of the island.
The site is remote on an Aleutian island and can be difficult to access, requiring careful planning and preparation for any visit. Visitors should be prepared for harsh weather, uneven terrain, and limited on-site infrastructure.
The base helped repel Japanese attacks on Dutch Harbor in 1942 when P-40 fighters engaged enemy aircraft in aerial combat. This was one of the few direct aerial confrontations in this region of the Pacific War.
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