The Enabling Legislation was amended several times over the years, and in 1993 the taxing authority was revoked. At that time it was an independent special district with taxing authority. The Charlotte County Development Authority was created as a public agency by the State of Florida in 1965 to operate and manage the Charlotte County Airport and surrounding commerce park. In 1953, squadron members and community volunteers donated funds and labor to refurbish the building they occupied at the airport. Starting in 1949, the Punta Gorda Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol managed some of the airport’s facilities, and assisted in ground search and rescue missions. The Curtis P-40 “Warhawk” and the North American P-51 “Mustang” were assigned as part of the final flight training for pilots who were soon sent overseas to fight the war in these famed aircraft.Īfter World War II concluded, the airport complex was turned over to Charlotte County by the War Assets Administration and was managed by the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners. The Base also had C-45 and C-47 transports. The base had forty Curtis P-40 “Warhawk” aircraft and later changed to North American P-51 “Mustang” aircraft which were a part of the 3 rd Air Force, 3 rd Fighter Command at Drew Field (now Tampa International Airport). PGAAF reached its peak in 1944 – housing 1,097 enlisted men including two squadrons of student pilots. ![]() ![]() Government officials began planning for combat pilot training at the Punta Gorda Army Air Field (PGAAF) in 1941, and officially activated it on December 11, 1943.
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