It consisting of three runways (each approximately 8,800 ft long), taxiways and a large paved ramp area.

During World War II it was determined Smoky Hill Army Airfield (AAF) near Salina, Kansas needed assistance in processing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombardment crews for their shipment overseas.

Additional areas were leased from the Union Pacific Railroad for the location of storage yards.

[2] The ground station, located to the north of the airfield, consisted of more than one hundred buildings, all intended to be temporary.

The field was in good enough condition by 4 July 1943 to enable the commanding officer to hold "Open House.

In this capacity Walker was used merely as spillover field in the performance of Smoky Hill's mission of processing heavy bombardment crews for overseas shipment.

A more important, and more independent, mission was given to Walker February 1, 1943 when the Second Air Force organized the 6th (later replaced by the 7th) Heavy Bombardment Processing Headquarters there.

The field was scheduled to begin training B-29 crews for combat duty, and in about August 1943 the first B-29s were brought in.

Prior to December 1943, Walker had only one bombing range, the result being overcrowding beyond reasonable limits of safety.

Other Kansas fields allowed planes from Walker AAF to use their ranges for a short time.

The new organization was designed to serve as carrying unit for all permanent party activities, as well as to conduct functions of administration, training, supply, and maintenance.

In the fall of 1944 the B-29 Mobile Training Units were organized by the Second Air Force to travel between schools with specialists to teach classes on equipment included in the B-29.

The combat records set by crews trained at Walker AAF proved this invaluable.

Until the end of World War II the number of crews trained at Walker AAF was steady.

Compared to the original 1,000 occupancy, Walker AAF had grown almost sixfold in just a couple years.

With victory over Japan in August 1945, the mission of the 17th Bombardment Operational Training Wing changed and slackened.

On January 31, 1946, Walker was put on inactive status, and disposition of property became the major activity at the field.

Four transformers left over from the war were on the apron and the wartime sewage treatment system in the southwest part of the field was still present although inoperable.

In four 3-foot by 4-foot areas, pharmacy bottles, syringes, mess hall plates, shells, spark plugs, and other items were found.

Four hangars on the flightline area exist, one gutted by fire and the others that are standing appear to be unsafe and ready to collapse.

Given that the cost to clear the land and concrete is likely prohibitive, and the remains of the former structures have little value, the deterioration of the former military airfield is likely to continue into the future.

The concrete is being broken up and crushed to various sizes into aggregates for drive ways, roads, and oil battery barriers.

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