Col John R. Morgan was the first commanding officer of the Harlingen Aerial Gunnery School, arriving in August 1941; he was to hold that appointment through World War II.

On June 30, 1941 a contract was let for Morgan and Zachary, El Paso and Laredo builders, to start the military airfield construction.

[2] It was initially assigned to the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Gulf Coast Training Center as a flexible gunnery school, with the 78th Service Group being designated as the first host organization at the new airfield.

A large parking ramp and several aircraft hangars were built along with warehouses, dormitories, a fire station, some water towers and a number of support buildings, all wood and tar paper on concrete blocks.

[6] In March 1961, during his budget message to Congress, U.S. president John F. Kennedy announced that the Department of Defense would close 73 military installations (70 stateside), including Harlingen AFB, Texas, the only ATC base on the list.

The base hosted its last conference, a corrosion control meeting, in April as the gym, library, and military clothing sales store closed their doors.

[6][7] In 1963, construction and renovation began on the sight to be transformed into a military academy modeled after the United States Marine Corps.

The movie was inspired by, and principal photography location filming was done at, the Harlingen Army Airfield; using many USAAF trainees and staff as extras.