The airport was established by the Air Service, United States Army in 1919 as part of a series of military airfields along the Texas/Mexico border.

Assigned to the Army Surveillance Group (ASG) Marfa Airfield was used to carry out observation overflights along the Mexican Border.

The 104th Surveillance Squadron operated Dayton-Wright DH-4 reconnaissance aircraft from Marfa Field beginning in November 1919.

However, the Marfa Municipal Airport continued to be used by the Army Air Corps on an as-needed basis until the beginning of World War II.

Three paved 5,000' runways were laid down, and it supported the training mission of Marfa AAF and was frequently used by Cessna AT-17 Bobcat twin engine trainers and B-25 Mitchell Medium Bombers.