Military Installations in Santa Barbara County During WWII
Santa Barbara County hosted seven military facilities during WWII, contributing to the extensive training and operations against Axis powers. The installations supported troop training, aircraft maintenance, and coastal defense from 1937 until 1946.

From 1937 to 1946, Santa Barbara County was home to seven military installations that played key roles in training personnel for WWII. The facilities included Camp Cooke, which trained hundreds of thousands of troops, and the Santa Maria Army Air Field, focusing on advanced pilot training for P-38 Lightning fighters.
Coastal defenses were established, including artillery installations and radar units, to protect against possible attacks. Additionally, the county served as a recuperation site for soldiers at Hoff General Army Hospital. The legacy of these installations is largely diminished, with only remnants remaining at select locations.




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