The French Air Force based Morane-Saulnier MS-230 fighters at the airfield for the defense of the Chartres region.

The airfield was first attacked by the German Luftwaffe on 3 June 1940 by a formation of 15 twin engine Dornier Do 17 light bombers.

It was surrendered along with the rest of the French Air Force bases in France at the Second Armistice at Compiègne on 22 June and was seized by the occupying German Army.

[11] Once declared operationally ready, the airfield had a concrete runway 5500' long aligned 08/26, with much Pierced Steel Planking used to repair the damage caused by the frequent Allied bombing.

[12] Under American control, Chartres initially became the home of the 368th Fighter Group, which flew P-47 Thunderbolts from the field starting on 23 August, remaining until 11 September.

They were replaced by the B-26 Marauder-equipped 323d Bombardment Group on 21 September, flying combat missions until 13 October 1944.

Much unexploded and excess wartime ordnance needed to be removed and the entire infrastructure was in ruins.

It remained an important Air Force base after 1953, and included technical units, a military training center (CIMCA 41.122) and a broadcasting station.

Also it appears that the north side of the airport, the location of the prewar airport and wartime airfield, remains under French military control, as aerial photography and satellite images of the area are either intentionally blurred or blanked for undetermined reasons.

[1] This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency