 In World War II, the civilian Nome Airport shared use of the runway with Marks Army Airfield for transfer of Lend-Lease aircraft to the Soviet Union and in 1942, for air defense of the western coast of Alaska.Marks AAF units included the 404th Bombardment Squadron (July 18–28, 1942) of the 28th Bombardment Group and the 56th Fighter Squadron (June 20 – October 20, 1942) of the 54th Fighter Group.On August 15, 1947, the Arctic Indoctrination Survival School (colloquially known as "Cool School") was formed at Marks Army Air Base.