Dallas Love Field has its origins in 1917 when the Army announced it would establish a series of camps to train prospective pilots after the United States entered into World War I. The airfield was one of thirty-two new Air Service fields.
 It was constructed just southeast of Bachman Lake, and it covered over 700 acres and could accommodate up to 1,000 personnel.
Dozens of wooden buildings served as headquarters, maintenance, and officers’ quarters.
Enlisted men had to bivouac in tents.

Love Field served as a base for flight training for the United States Army Air Service.
In 1917, flight training occurred in two phases: primary and advanced.
Primary training took eight weeks and consisted of pilots learning basic flight skills under dual and solo instruction.
After completion of their primary training at Love Field, flight cadets were transferred to another base for advanced training.

After officially opening on October 19, 1917, the first unit stationed at Love Field was the 136th Aero Squadron, which was transferred from Kelly Field, south of San Antonio, Texas.
Only a few U.S. Army Air Service aircraft arrived with the 136th Aero Squadron, and most of the Curtiss JN-4 Jennys to be used for flight training were shipped in wooden crates by railcar.
 Training units assigned to Love Field during World War I were:
Post Headquarters, Love Field,  October 1917 – December 1919
71st Aero Squadron (II),  February 1918
Re-designated as Squadron "A",  July–November 1918
121st Aero Squadron (II),  April 1918
Re-designated as Squadron "B",  July–November 1918
136th Aero Squadron (II), November 1917
Re-designated as Squadron "C", July–November 1918
197th Aero Squadron,  November 1917
Re-designated as Squadron "D", July–November 1918
Flying School Detachment (Consolidation of Squadrons A-D), November 1918 – November 1919
The 865th Aero Squadron (Repair), was formed at Love Field in March 1918 as a support unit for JN-4 aircraft repair and maintenance.
It was assigned to the Aviation Repair Depot, Dallas Texas (at Love Field) in April 1918.
It was demobilized in March 1919.

With the sudden end of World War I in November 1918, the future operational status of Love Field was unknown.
Many local officials speculated the U.S. government would keep the field open because of the outstanding combat record established by Love-trained pilots in Europe.
Locals also pointed to the optimal weather conditions in the Dallas area for flight training.
Cadets in flight training on November 11, 1918, were allowed to complete their training; however, no new cadets were assigned to the base.
Also the separate training squadrons were consolidated into a single Flying School detachment, as many of the personnel assigned were being demobilized.
Dallas Love Field has its origins in 1917 when the Army announced it would establish a series of camps to train prospective pilots after the United States entered into World War I. The airfield was one of thirty-two new Air Service fields.  It was constructed just southeast of Bachman Lake, and it covered over 700 acres and could accommodate up to 1,000 personnel. Dozens of wooden buildings served as headquarters, maintenance, and officers’ quarters. Enlisted men had to bivouac in tents.
Love Field served as a base for flight training for the United States Army Air Service. In 1917, flight training occurred in two phases: primary and advanced. Primary training took eight weeks and consisted of pilots learning basic flight skills under dual and solo instruction. After completion of their primary training at Love Field, flight cadets were transferred to another base for advanced training.
After officially opening on October 19, 1917, the first unit stationed at Love Field was the 136th Aero Squadron, which was transferred from Kelly Field, south of San Antonio, Texas. Only a few U.S. Army Air Service aircraft arrived with the 136th Aero Squadron, and most of the Curtiss JN-4 Jennys to be used for flight training were shipped in wooden crates by railcar.  Training units assigned to Love Field during World War I were:
Post Headquarters, Love Field,  October 1917 – December 1919
71st Aero Squadron (II),  February 1918
Re-designated as Squadron "A",  July–November 1918
121st Aero Squadron (II),  April 1918
Re-designated as Squadron "B",  July–November 1918
136th Aero Squadron (II), November 1917
Re-designated as Squadron "C", July–November 1918
197th Aero Squadron,  November 1917
Re-designated as Squadron "D", July–November 1918
Flying School Detachment (Consolidation of Squadrons A-D), November 1918 – November 1919
The 865th Aero Squadron (Repair), was formed at Love Field in March 1918 as a support unit for JN-4 aircraft repair and maintenance. It was assigned to the Aviation Repair Depot, Dallas Texas (at Love Field) in April 1918. It was demobilized in March 1919.
With the sudden end of World War I in November 1918, the future operational status of Love Field was unknown. Many local officials speculated the U.S. government would keep the field open because of the outstanding combat record established by Love-trained pilots in Europe. Locals also pointed to the optimal weather conditions in the Dallas area for flight training. Cadets in flight training on November 11, 1918, were allowed to complete their training; however, no new cadets were assigned to the base. Also the separate training squadrons were consolidated into a single Flying School detachment, as many of the personnel assigned were being demobilized.
Dallas Love Field