In May of 1917, Congress approved the funds to build an airfield at Rantoul, Illinois located approximately 150 miles south of Chicago. This installation was named Chanute Field after Octave Chanute, one of America's aviation pioneers. The first plane to land at Chanute Field was a Curtiss JN-4 piloted by Captain W. Spain in July 1917. For over 75 years that followed, Chanute grew into one of the finest Air Force technical training facilities in the country with over 2 million personnel assigned and trained there. Many of the technical courses taught at Chanute were unique and not taught at any other installation.
In addition to technical training, Chanute AFB was one of the most attractive military installations in the country. White Hall, also named Buckingham Palace by some, was originally built in the late 1930's as a dormatory space and training facility for Chanute Airmen and was the largest building in the Department of Defense until the Pentagon was constructed later. Chanute also had one of the largest static displays of military aircraft. Over the years, Chanute personnel were recognized for their high level of professionalism and technical expertise. Chanute helped prepare and train our country's greatest fighting force. To most of us who served there, Chanute will always be considered one of the greatest military installations and training facilities on earth.
History
Chanute History