Minter Field celebrating 80 years

Minter Field is celebrating its 80th year since being dedicated with an event on Feb. 5.

On Saturday Feb. 7, 2942, the Air Field at Minter Field was dedicated to Hugh Minter, with the base being the focal point of the war effort in Kern County back in the early 1940s.

Minter Field was one of the busiest training bases in the country, with a good portion of the pilots being used in the conflicts training on Minter Field soil and in the skies above Shafter.

The celebration will be held on Saturday, Feb. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend and it is free of charge.

Two plaques will be presented to the Minter Field directors. The plaques are from the offices of David Valadao and Rudy Salas. According to Ronald Pierce, president of the Minter Field Air Museum, there will be refreshments served at the event, as well as having an opportunity to peruse the museum. The museum has a collection of memorabilia, uniforms, weapons, and more from all of the conflicts involving the United States military.