Chanute Air Force Base
Chanute Air Force Base – Rantoul, IL
By Michael Kleen
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Chanute Air Force Base opened in Rantoul in July 1917 and was a vital part of the local economy for nearly 76 years. After its closure in 1993, much of the base was divided up into residential and commercial properties, but most of the core buildings remain abandoned. The Chanute Air Museum moved into one of the old hangers, and its website offers an illustrated retrospective of the base’s history. Inevitably, local kids exploring the abandoned parts of the base in the past few years have begun to bring home unusual stories.
Chanute Field, as the facility was originally known, opened as a result of the First World War. When the United States entered the war in 1917, our fleet of military aircraft was woefully inadequate. The War Department quickly allocated funds to open the Field and begin training an air corps. After the war, Congress bought the land around Chanute Filed and authorized construction of nine steel hangers. Fires plagued the original base, since many of the buildings were made of wood.
Between 1938 and 1941, as the United States began modernizing its military, a “renaissance” occurred at Chanute. Buildings such as a headquarters, hospital, fire station, water tower, gymnasium, and even a theater were installed. The Works Progress Administration provided everything necessary for a permanent air corps to be stationed there.
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I enjoyed seeing the photos, although it’s sad to see everything rundown. I was stationed at Chanute twice: 1974-1978 as a student attending (and later as an instructor teaching) Avionics School in White Hall, and again 1980-1983 as an instructor (again.) Living on-base and in Rantoul started my interest in local history, which I’ve maintained every place I’ve lived since. I would be happy to share my knowledge of Chanute & Rantoul.
Bill,
I hope you remember me. I had a band at the base called RYDER. Iused to teach basic electronics including Inst/Flight control Systems to include AFSC systems. I loved my job enough to be Instructor of the Month. I’m interested in the whereabouts of several of our instructors, to include Larry Mc Canlesss, a very special lady Vicki, Scott, Mr Henrickson..always had a big belt buckle on, a Mr Smith who was partially handicapped, to a guy named John a tall easy going guy who I beleived stayed in the Rantoul area….please send me an email asap.
Thanks,
Doug Wenger
I was stationed at Chanute AFB from 1983 – 87 as Instructor and Instructor Supervisor for the Avionics Instrument Systems Specialist Course. What have you been up to?
They use Grissom hall for high school students, i was one of those students and ive never seen anythhing happen. i would like to know bill if you know of anything haunted in rantoul
Thank you for trying to preserve things of the past. I was 20 years old when I was there and I went to Google this evening and clicked on Chanute AFB. Enjoying it very much. Keep up the good work.
I use to visit at Chanute when my brothers were stationed there. I made friends with a girl by the name of Diane Haines. Her dad was msgt allen haines. I have been trying to find her since 1980. Last time I saw her was 1/11/1975. If anyone out there remembers her I would like to here from you. I had 4 brothers that were all sationed at chanute. Alan Esmonde, Rick Esmonde, Bill Esmonde, Tim Esmonde.
I am looking for information on a SSgt Orin T. Overson who was a survival instructor at Chanute Field in 1952. He drowned in a training excercise in the Spoon River in 1952 while participating in an Air Force survival training program. Any information or guidance in finding some information would be great!
Thank you,
Rob
I attended Automatic Flight Control Systems (Autopilot) training at Chanute in 1970. I completed my training in 1971 and had not been back since until one Sunday afternoon in the summer of 2009. I was disappointed to see the base in shambles. All the old wood buildings are of course gone, White Hall the main training building is abandoned, the ‘69th Squadron building appears to be a senior centers. I talked to a local citizen that had been there for the base closing. She told me that she had seen the base closing report and it indicated the reason that Chanute was recommended for closing was “you can’t play golf year round”. Rantoul was a great little town in the heartland of America. It is a shame that someone did not take the resources that are there and start a world class technical school to compliment the U of I in nearby Champaign-Urbana.
I was a student at Chanute in 1967, 47th Sq. Life Support. Sad to see the old field falling apart but again so am I. There was B-36 at the beginning of the flight line. What did they ever do with it? Also there was a B-52. Rumor was it landed in emergency status and couldn’t take off later. What became of it. Thanks for you pictures and history if the place. Fond memories of a great place. The story goes, Chanute had the biggest chow hall in the history of the military services.
Civil Engineering and CRS or EMS disassembled the B-36 at Chanute, boxed it and sent it by railroad to Castle AFB CA. Then Castle came on the closure list and closed. See below website.
http://www.air-and-space.com/b-36%20survivors.htm
Dear Jim, I was also at chanute in 67.(60th squadron, AGE)Strangely depressing to see pictures of the old base. Went to ramstein after graduation.Live in california, last 35 years. Jim Downs
I have a couple pictures if you are interested.
I am interested in seeing your pictures I have one only. I think it is 1930’s or 1940’s. My father was not quite the age he was supposed to be.
I was stationed at chanute from oct 1981 to april 1982,as a student of 3371 school squadron.i have very fond memories from my time there.
Went to aircraft instrument school the afsc (af32331) I think. That was way back in 1967. Good memories, sorry to see it in the state it is in.
Tom: my name is Jim Reese and I was an instructor in the aircraft instrument school from 1966 thru 1968. In 1967, I believe I taught A-shift (6-noon) in Block 4 (the last block of the course). Many good memories from long ago. I’m going to make the trip to Chanute tomorrow, it’s 80 miles from my residence, sounds like I’m going to be disappointed.
Do you recall CMS Raymond Smith who was there when you were at Chanute?
I have recently gotten a picture of my Father, Donald Eugene McKinley. The photo has ( ACFT. WELDERS, CLASS, 11102B CHANUTE AIR BASE ) in the left bottom corner. The photo is of his 15 member class. I would like to have more information. If anyone can help me, please contact me. Thank you.
I was a surgery tech at the hospital from mid ‘65 to late ‘68. I’ve been able to reconnect with four of the guys, but would like to hear from more. There was an airshow there, I believe to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Air Force, in 1967. The C141, now retired, was a “new” aircraft on display. President Johnson landed there and then took a helicopter to a funeral of someone in Springfield… lots of memories of “old” Chanute. “Don’t shoot ‘em, Chanute ‘em!”
Loved the pictures, however there was not an Idyess Hall as your caption says, it is actually Dyess Hall where the Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course was taught. I attended from June 1988 to November 1988 as a member of Class # 880616 IAO (Improvise Adapt and Overcome). They was not enough quarters available for the student officers so we all lived on the economy. Several of our class live in Urbana and commuted to the base each day for classes. They were actually building a new officers quarters that would have accomodated the officer students however construction stopped when it was announced that the base was going to close. I returned to Chanute to attend the Jet Engine Mishap Investigation Course about a year before it moved to Sheppard AFB.
Thank you, George, and I apologize. Apparently when I quickly glanced at the picture to write the caption I interpreted the chipped paint at the beginning of the sign on the building as an “I.” Yes, sometimes I do wonder if I’m slipping mentally…
I really appreciate the interest all of you have taken in this particular issue. I had no idea it would quickly become our most popular, and I can’t help but feel honored to have facilitated some reunions between old comrades. Thank you for your service, gentlemen.
Beginning in 1959, I attended the basic jet engine school at Chanute. I was assigned there as an instructor in the basic course in 1966. I was stationed there twice more, and retired from Chanute in 1980 as a Chief Master Sergeant. I always enjoyed my assignments there. It’s sad to see the deterioration of some of the buildings.
Stationed here for ELAB school from Oct 81- May 82. One of the worst winters ever and I am from Illinois. Came back for High Reliability Soldering School in 1988. I once again returned after active duty discharge to crosstrain into the Fire career field at the newer Fire Academy. That was from Nov 92-Jan 93. I was in the 2nd to last class before they moved.
I was there Dec 81 to May 82 for AGE school and I thought all winters there were that bad! So much snow that winter and so cold, wow!
My father, Henry Weltman, was stationed at Chanute Field from 1942 to at least 1944. The only paperwork I have shows an Asn of 36241 730. He was with the 8th Tech Sch Sq.
All we know is that he was a parachute rigger and he apparently invented something that had to do with improving the rigging. He never spoke about the war and now my sisters and I wish we knew more about his life. Any information anyone has will be greatly appreciated.
If you recognize that last name you must have been at Chanute when my father was there. (Sept 69 – Aug? 70). We were transferred up there after Keesler once Keesler was recovering from Hurricane Camille and then he went to Saigon, while the family went home to Texas. I have mixed memories of the area. Chanute was great! Rantoul (at 16) was boring, except for speeding on the dirt roads! But Cham-bana…. well I didn’t like getting shot at because of the base sticker on my car.
I Was Born On The Base In 1953, From Time To Time I Would Visit The Base, I Miss It !
For Some Reason I Don’t Feel As Safe, The Base Is A Real Mess, Thank You Congress For
Another Fine Job, I Have To Take A Trip Back To See The Air Museum, GOD Bless America
Hello! I was in school there in 1971 as an Avionics Instrument Systems Technician. I left some money in the Credit Union there in the hopes of someday getting it! Does anybody know what happened to it or where it went. How would I get my money? Searching has sure brought back memories though.
Thank You
I was a 2nd Lt at Chanute from Aug 69 to Aug 71 as part of Base Supply, 3345 M&S Group. Wayne Knapp was Chief of Supply then. Msgt. Larry C. Lenover was NCO during my time in M&P. For a while I lived in Champaign, later at 11 Kiernan Drive on base, until I went over to Karamursel Turkey. Many happy memories of chasing the Illinois Central ‘City of New Orleans’ after work down US 45 in my 912 at 80 mph. Always a good idea to pause at Thomasboro to check for the State Cop behind the grain elevator though. Happy to hear from any Base Supply permanent party. JGM
I was stationed there in 1957 as a student in recip engine class. we were housed in the “old” hospital that consisted of single story barracks that inter-connected and occupied quite a bit of area….
Had MANY meals in that HUGE mess hall with the two base theaters across the street.
Our final engine class was engine run up on other side of base in “test cells”..
I well recall those cold winter mornings marching in flight formations down the flight line, past that B-38 (What ever happened to it ?.
Our run ups on flight line were a B-50, and C119 Flying Boxcar !
(Am i dating myself, or what !)
Also spent many a weekend at the only theater in Rantoul, or “Rangoon” as we called it..
Would love to hear from anyone who was there at that time frame !
Hello Michael:
Many years ago, around 1957, I dated a “gentleman” who was stationed at Chanute. He used to come up on the bus to take me out. I lived on the so. side of Chicago. He usually brought a friend named “Ralph” from either so. Carolina or no. Carolina.
Many years later, I think of “Jack” Essmen Hindi and often wonder how he is doing. I wonder about Ralph as well.
Did you know either of them?
I was stationed at Chanute for SRAM missile training Oct. 1971 thru Dec. 1971, the first class of missile students headed to Loring AFB, Me. Instructor Bob Hoard took a few of us to an Illini football game. Nice quarters for senior NCO’s also.
LOOKING for: TSGT Peter “Pete” Jones
Pete was an Instructor at Chanute AFB, 1974-1979 or possibly longer.
Tall African American. He often said, he was originally from Georgia.
I would estimate Pete is around 68-70 years young now.
Anyone having any information on Pete, I would appreciate hearing from you.
Stan Miller
Call me crazy but I was stationed @ Chanute from 10/79 thru 3/83 and I can’t remember my squadron designation. I was a Medical Supply Specialist in of all places the Hospital, any help with this would be appreciated. Any pix from hosp. personnel would be awesum. Admittedly I smoked a bit of the wacky tabacky back then, so my memory isn’t what it could or should be. I lived in Jones apartments South of the base for a while and then moved across the field to Green Acres, which was PARTY CENTRAL. I still maintain a great freindship with one of the locals and make several trips a year to “Rantucky Arkantoul”. The condition of the base is depressing on more levels than I care to get into, it certainly reminds me that I’m older than I care to admit. All vets have my deepest respect and admiration.
Gary Stephens
I was at Chanute from Mar to July 1968 in the 3360th squadron (A.G.E.) I went to Vietnam after graduating. I hate to see the place so run down now. My barracks were right across the street from the old Tradewinds which had plenty of pool tables and other stuff. I would love to hear from anyone there then or see any old pictures from that time period. I was stationed in Indiana (Grissom) after coming home from Nam (Phan Rang) in 69. I reenlisted there and spent the next 4 years at Shaw AFB in South Carolina.
Stationed there from 1953-1955 in Pneumatics Sys. Rpmn as a inst. in block 3,and in 1960-1961 as a 7 level inst,lived on base at 88 Circle Drive and enjoyed the NCO club with my good buddy T/Sgt Vanhook
I WAS STATIONED AT CHENUTE FROM JAN 65 THRU JUNE 65 FOR BASIC ELECTRICITY COURSE. HOUNDOG MISSLE SCHOOL WAS FULL SO SENT TO KEESLER AND ACW RADAR TRAINING. DON’T REMEMBER SQUADRON NUMBER BUT WE WERE IN WOODEN BARRACKS. I DO REMEMBER RUNNING POTATO PEELERS IN THE CHOW HALL AND LETTING THEM GRIND TO NOTHING . BORN AND RAISED 45 MILES EAST AT DECATUR ,ILL SO FELT RIGHT AT HOME THERE. REMEMBER B-52 AND B-58 ON THE FLIGHT LINE. MARCHED UNDER THE WING OF THE 52 EVERY DAY.
I was stationed at Chanute AFB, IL, May 1975 – Aug 1979. I was assigned to Security Police Squardon, I managed the Orderly Room with a another female solider name Cathy, from Louisiana. I remember an Officer in our unit name (last name Moss). I married a airman name Charles Duke, Jr., he worked in the Hospital Records Section. If anyone was stationed there during this time…please contact me, I am trying to locate Pete Jones, he was a Technical Instructor, during this timeframe. Thanks
Hello All…I was station at chanute from 56 to 58..went to instrument school there and remained there as an instructor of the flight instrument phase…I recall the day the B-36 first landed at Chanute. I could hear it long before I could make out what it was..it was loud..they parked it on a prepared hardstand at the end of the runway…when I was P/P we lived in fairly new barracks a block or so from the B-36… And of course had to pull my share of KP. Left Chanute in 58 for Tachikawa and from there took a concurent to Rhein-Main…
Vic Hansen
I was at Chanute in 1964 in Pneumatics training. When I left I was stationed at Bergstrom AFB in Texas. Came back in 1965 for Advanced Jet Engine Starter School. I faintly remember they had the best Airman’s Club of any base I was on.