the airfield finally taken. Designated ALG (Advanced Landing Ground) A-15, the airport became operational a few days later by the 834th Aviation Engineers, IX Engineer Command. 850th Engineer Aviation Battalion and 877th Airborne Engineer Aviation Battalion. Known as Advanced Landing Ground "A-15", the airfield consisted of a 6000' (1800m) Pierced Steel Planking (PSP) runway aligned 11/29. A secondary PSP 5000' (1500m) runway was also laid down aligned 17/35. In addition, tents were used for billeting and also for support facilities; an access road was built to the existing road infrastructure; a dump for supplies, ammunition, and gasoline drums, along with a drinkable water and minimal electrical grid for communications and station lighting. The 363d Fighter Group with P-47 Thunderbolts moved into Maupertus on 9 July. Planes began taking off and landing despite the fact that stacked along the main runway was a pile of bombs, live shells, duds, and 600 mines lifted from the airfield. The fighter planes flew support missions during the Allied invasion of Normandy, patrolling roads in front of the beachhead; strafing German military vehicles and dropping bombs on gun emplacements, anti-aircraft artillery and concentrations of German troops in Normandy and Brittany when spotted. The bombers also attacked bridges and German-controlled airfields in occupied areas. Prime Minister Churchill landed at A-15 on July 20 as did General Charles de Gaulle on August 20. On 22 August, the B-26 Marauder 387th Bombardment Group replaced the 363d. In addition to the bombers the 422d Night Fighter Squadron, equipped with the P-61 Black Widow night interceptor used the airfield until the end of August 1944. After the Americans moved east into Central France with the advancing Allied Armies, the airfield was used as a resupply and casualty evacuation airfield for several months, before being closed on 22 December 1944. It was then turned over to French authorities. Major units assigned 363d Fighter Group 9 July - 22 August 1944 380th (A8), 381st (B3), 382d (C3) Fighter Squadrons (P-51D) 387th Bombardment Group 22 August - 18 September 1944 556th (FW), 557th (KS), 558th (KX), 559th (TQ) Bombardment Squadrons (B-26) 422d Night Fighter Squadron 25 July – 28 August 1944 (P-61) Postwar use During the reconstruction of France in the late 1940s, a civil airport was established at the site. During the Cold War, in the 1950s, a modern concrete jet runway for NATO aircraft was laid down by the United States