Aviation and Aerospace in the Southwest Valley
Learning Objectives (Grade 3)
• Students will learn how aviation, and aerospace impacted Arizona during WWII.
• Students will identify major reasons why airbases, and the aerospace industry developed in the
Southwest Valley and Arizona.
Rationale
The mid-century marked a time of economic transition in Arizona. While the 5 Cs of copper,
cattle, cotton, citrus, and climate continued to be economic pillars, WWII would bring more
aviation and aerospace to Arizona. The growth of aerospace manufacturing and production
continued in the following decades, becoming an important part of the state’s economy.
Airfields established in Arizona during WWII were important in training pilots for combat.