 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
History
In the late 1930s, the Macon Chamber of Commerce learned of the War Department’s plan to build an "Army Air Corps Depot" somewhere in the Southeastern United States. The Chamber immediately went to work, convincing Carl Vinson of the viability of Middle Georgia to host such a military installation "just south of Macon" in Wellston, Georgia. Middle Georgia in fact then entered into competition with Atlanta for this new "depot". But it was Middle Georgia that secured the installation with a bid to build the base six months faster and one and one–half times cheaper…and to provide over 3000 acres and 3000 houses for the grand sum of $1.00. And so the $10 million construction of Robins Air Force Base began in 1941 in Wellston, Georgia.
In 1941, Wellston was a mere train stop located in the middle of a large dairy farm. Colonel Thomas, the first commander at Robins, in fact wanted to name the installation after his mentor and hero, Brigadier General Augustine Warner Robins, but Army regulations required the installation be named after the host town and hence it appeared that the "Wellston Army Air Depot" would be built in Middle Georgia. By now, Wellston had begun to flourish with the on-going housing and military construction. Recognizing Colonel Thomas’ desires and in a dramatic show of appreciation and support for the Army, the Wellston City Fathers changed the name of the city to Warner Robins in order for the installation to be named after Colonel Thomas’ hero…Brigadier General Augustine Warner Robins.
In January 1942, the depot was in fact named "Robins Field" in memory of Brigadier General Augustine Warner Robins, who was one of the Army Air Corps' first General Staff Officers and Commander of the Air Corps' Materiel Division at Wright Field, Ohio, from 1935 to 1939.
This display of community support, and appreciation, was just the beginning of a long-term partnership that has flourished and matured for 65 years now. This "relationship" that actually began at birth for both parties, has matured into one that enjoys national recognition and one that is worked and improved daily. History documents the community’s ability and willingness to "take care of the troops" and to positively respond to each opportunity to enhance the installation’s capability to fur
