An illustrated history of the four military airfields of San Antonio, Texas.

In March 1910, Lt. Benjamin Foulois was ordered to Fort Sam Houston near San Antonio, Texas, with a used Wright Brothers aeroplane and a small contingent of enlisted men. His mission was to teach himself how to operate this primitive flying machine and begin demonstrating the practical uses it might have for the United States Army. This history is chronicled through in-depth captions and over 200 images as author Mel Brown tells the story of how San Antonio eventually became the cradle of military aviation. Mastery of the air would take time, equipment, and lives as the demanding flight path led from the early trials at Ft. Sam to the eventual establishment of four flying centers around the city. Working through trial and error, the aeronautic pioneers and first combat aviators convinced the military that the building of an American air arm was needed; thus the legend of the U.S. Air Force at San Antonio was born. Using many photographs never before published, the author tells the rich history of the air force bases in San Antonio, including Kelly, Brooks, and Randolph Fields. Also included are images of some of aviation's first heroes, such as Eddie Rickenbacker, Jimmy Doolittle, Charles Lindbergh, and Clair Chennault.

A pictorial history of San Antonio, Texas during the Great War is presented. Army bases prepare supplies and deploy soldiers for battle. Most scenes in San Antonio are shown in the 19th and early 20th century.

Traces the early history of the U.S. Army Air Force, looks at how Elmo Johnson's Big Bend ranch in southwest Texas was used as a proving ground, and discusses U.S.-Mexican relations. includes the Escobar Rebellion (1929) and action in Naco, Sonora.