Following the onset of World War II, the United States faced a challenging goal to train upwards of 75,000 to 100,000 pilots per year.

Due to the climate allowing year-round flight instruction, as well as the low airways congestion, North Alabama was considered to be a good location for one of the new Army Air Force training fields.

The station facility consisted of a large number of buildings based on standardized plans and architectural drawings, with the buildings designed to be the "cheapest, temporary character with structural stability only sufficient to meet the needs of the service which the structure is intended to fulfill during the period of its contemplated war use" was underway.

The station was designed to be nearly self-sufficient, with not only hangars, but barracks, warehouses, hospitals, dental clinics, dining halls, and maintenance shops were needed.

Courtland AAF was the home of a Basic Flying School which utilized Vultee BT-13s for the Air Cadets.

Personnel were required to fire pistols or carbines for marksmanship training and practice gas attack drills.

Establishment of this school involved the transfer of B-24 "Liberator" bombers and personnel from Chanute Field, Illinois.