During World War II much of South Florida (and Florida in general) resembled an armed camp, as training bases were set up throughout the state to ready soldiers, sailors and pilots for combat overseas.

The Pompano Air Park was originally established as a satellite filed for the Fort Lauderdale Naval Air Station, where torpedo bomber pilots were trained.

Just over the county line, the Boca Raton Army Air Field trained B-17 pilots and crews.

Websites have been created (click on links above) for both of these local wartime facilities that describe their origins, training functions and current efforts to preserve their history.