The airport first opened in 1911 as Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield.
It was renamed in Rogers' honor in 1941.

During World War II Will Rogers Field was a major training facility for the United States Army Air Forces; many fighter and bomber units were activated and received initial training there.

Army Air Forces groups known to have been stationed at Will Rogers Field included:
44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) July 1942 - August 28, 1942
46th Bombardment Group (Light) November 1942 - October 1943
47th Bombardment Group (Light) February 16, 1942 - July 18, 1942
48th Bombardment Group (Light) May 22, 1941 - February 7, 1942
86th Bombardment Group (Light) February 10, 1942 - June 20, 1942
311th Bombardment Group (Light) March 2, 1942 - July 4, 1942
312th Bombardment Group (Light) June 1942 - August 1942
409th Bombardment Group (Light) June 1, 1943 - October 1943
410th Bombardment Group (Light) July 1, 1943 - October 1943
411th Bombardment Group (Light) August 1, 1943 - August 15, 1943
416th Bombardment Group (Light) February 5, 1943 - June 4, 1943
417th Bombardment Group (Light) March 28, 1943 - August 4, 1943
9th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) October 1, 1943 - May 6, 1944
2d Reconnaissance Group October 7, 1943 - May 1, 1944
70th Tactical Reconnaissance Group November 14, 1943 – November 30, 1943
After completion of their initial training, these units were reassigned to other airfields for secondary training before deployment overseas.
The airport first opened in 1911 as Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield. It was renamed in Rogers' honor in 1941.
During World War II Will Rogers Field was a major training facility for the United States Army Air Forces; many fighter and bomber units were activated and received initial training there.
Army Air Forces groups known to have been stationed at Will Rogers Field included:
44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) July 1942 - August 28, 1942
46th Bombardment Group (Light) November 1942 - October 1943
47th Bombardment Group (Light) February 16, 1942 - July 18, 1942
48th Bombardment Group (Light) May 22, 1941 - February 7, 1942
86th Bombardment Group (Light) February 10, 1942 - June 20, 1942
311th Bombardment Group (Light) March 2, 1942 - July 4, 1942
312th Bombardment Group (Light) June 1942 - August 1942
409th Bombardment Group (Light) June 1, 1943 - October 1943
410th Bombardment Group (Light) July 1, 1943 - October 1943
411th Bombardment Group (Light) August 1, 1943 - August 15, 1943
416th Bombardment Group (Light) February 5, 1943 - June 4, 1943
417th Bombardment Group (Light) March 28, 1943 - August 4, 1943
9th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) October 1, 1943 - May 6, 1944
2d Reconnaissance Group October 7, 1943 - May 1, 1944
70th Tactical Reconnaissance Group November 14, 1943 – November 30, 1943
After completion of their initial training, these units were reassigned to other airfields for secondary training before deployment overseas.
Will Rogers World Airport