once-busy bomber base. At some point between 1989 and '96, the roof and most of the walls of the former 3d Echelon Maintenance Hangar were removed, leaving only a hollow grid of the side walls of the hangar standing. The west side of the former AAF/AFB, where the actual airfield was, is deserted. Runways and taxiways, hardstands, and the flightline apron exist with tall weeds and other sparse vegetation slowly taking over the concrete areas. The Air Defense Command radar site southeast of the base is abandoned and full of junk vehicles; the buildings on it are still standing in a deteriorated state. The property was being used by the Texas Youth Commission's West Texas State School. The former AFB family housing (small, individual units) was used by the prison staff. The state school closed in 2010. The original entrance has been refurbished, and today stands as a memorial to the men and women who worked and trained here, many of whom gave their lives while learning to effectively use the B-17 and B-29. In the town of Pyote, about 15 miles west of Monahans, a museum honors the memory of the men and women who served there. Pyote Army Airfield played an important role in the local community during World War II. Base personnel had a long-lasting social relationship with the local citizens, and the base itself created jobs and great economic prosperity for the community. Pyote was quite literally transformed by the base. When the base finally closed for good in the early 1960s, it left a lasting impression on the local community. See also Texas World War II Army Airfields List of USAF Aerospace Defense Command General Surveillance Radar Stations References Baugher, Joe. USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to Present Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. . Thole, Lou (1999), Forgotten Fields of America : World War II Bases and Training, Then and Now - Vol. 2. Publisher: External links The 381st Bomb Group Website Pages from 1958 34th Air Division booklet about Pyote AFS Pyote AFS Closing, San Angelo Standard-Times dated 12 May 1963 Pyote Army Airfield / Pyote AFB / Pyote Airfield, Pyote, TX 2007 Pyote AFB Photos Installations of the United States Air Force in Texas 1943 establishments in Texas Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in Texas University of