Group travels in time to 1930s

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Megan Crusher
  • 452 AMW Public Affairs
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. --  Base Historian Master Sgt. John P. Hale led the first-ever March Field historical tour on the drill weekend. 

The tour took place throughout the Historical District of March and focused on the period from 1931-1935 when Henry "Hap" Arnold was the base commander. 

"I chose that period because of its association with Hap Arnold, the Father of the Air Force and for the many significant developments in air power that occurred during that period, such as the formation of the General Headquarters, Air Force," said Sergeant Hale. 

The tour began at the Cultural Resources Center with a slide presentation of images of the base taken during the Hap Arnold period. From there, the tour group walked down the street to building 470, Wing Headquarters, with Sergeant Hale making several stops to explain the historical significance of the buildings along the way. 

From the Wing Headquarters, the tour continued to what used to be the base hospital and is now the 4th Air Force Headquarters building. The tour culminated at the Hap Arnold House and Sergeant Hale turned the group loose to explore the residence. 

During the tour, Sergeant Hale discussed the architecture of the buildings, the functions they served then and now, and other anecdotes. 

Husband and wife, Nick M. Chamberlain and Jennifer L. Thorton, both archeologists, participated in the tour because they are both interested in history and know John. 

"It's been fun watching John do his thing. He's very knowledgeable and very into what he's doing, so it's fun following him around listening to what he's got to say," said Chamberlain. 

Sergeant Hale first decided to conduct a tour after interviewing Brig, Gen. Stan Brown (Ret.), who commanded the 22nd Bomb Wing at March in the early 1970s. 

"At the conclusion of the interview, General Brown said, 'well, I've told you what I know; now it's up to you to do something with it.' So I did," said Sergeant Hale. 

Sergeant Hale began planning for the tour in August of 2008, and because of various setbacks, the tour finally happened on Sept. 20. Once the official date was set it took about a month and a half to prepare, said Sergeant Hale. 

Tour guests were former military members, family members, archeologists, historians and people involved with the Morongo Basin Historical Society, said Hale. 

The tour guests were enthusiastic and asked lots of questions about the evolution of the base. 

"I think it went very well. It went very smoothly, especially the transportation support we received," said Sergeant Hale. 

Sergeant Hale created the historical tour because of his passion for the history of March and to share his knowledge with the community. He also wanted to help increase awareness that much of our history is archived at the March Field Museum. 

Hopefully, this tour was successful enough to generate interest in future tours and in the museum, said Hale.