Santa Ana Army Air Base

Santa Ana Army Air Base was a training facility operated by the United States Army Air Corps located on land between Baker Street, Harbor Boulevard, Wilson Street, and Newport Boulevard. The installation focused on basic ground instruction for soldiers before they moved on to specialized flight training programs elsewhere.

The installation was founded on January 1, 1942 as the West Coast Air Corps Training Center by the United States Army to oversee flight training across western states. It became a critical hub for preparing thousands of military personnel for deployment during World War II.

The base location near Los Angeles attracted numerous Hollywood performers who organized entertainment shows for the military personnel during World War II.

The site was easily accessible from the city of Santa Ana and provided basic facilities to accommodate thousands of training personnel. The location allowed for quick transportation to other aviation schools throughout the region.

During the war, the installation attracted Hollywood entertainers who regularly organized shows for military personnel. These performances helped boost morale for soldiers stationed far from home.

Location: Orange County

Inception: 1941

GPS coordinates: 33.67030,-117.90300

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:03