The 306th Bomb Group was activated at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho and began training. On April 6, the Group moved to Wendover Field, Utah for further training and then assigned to the 8th Air Force in September 1942 and Station 111 Thurleigh, England.

In December of 1940, Adjutant General Adams of the U.S. Army informed Boise Mayor James Straight that construction of the Boise Air Base had been authorized. Boise was chosen for an Air Force training center because of it’s climate and physical conditions.

On Jan. 21, 1941, equipment was moved to the desolate sagebrush-covered site and the task of clearing the ground for construction was started. The first Commanding Officer of the new base was Col. Robin A. Day who took command on March 12, 1941. On Easter Sunday, April 15, 1941, the first original cadre of 20 Soldiers arrived from Salt Lake City to form the 39th Air Base group.

The change of name was made under General Order No. 8, on July 29, 1941 and Boise Air Base officially became Gowen Field. This was in honor of Paul Gowen, a West Point graduate and pilot from Caldwell, Idaho, who was killed in a plane crash in 1938.

Gowen Field remained as an active Army Air Corps Base during WWII, serving as a medium bomber training base. Gowen Field was first home to six B-18 Bolo bombers. However, these aircraft were soon replaced by the faster B-26 Marauders.

The bombing of Pearl Harbor sent Gowen Field into high alert. As with the rest of the nation, activities ramped up. In a short period of time, Gowen Field saw other types of aircraft circulate through its facilities and runways. In January of 1942 Gowen Field received the latest and greatest B-17 Flying Fortress. Soon after, Gowen Field became a combat crew training school for the B-24 Liberator. This would continue throughout the duration of the war.

After the war the part of the field used by the Army Air Forces was returned to the city and became the Boise Airport. The Idaho Air National Guard began leasing the airfield after the war and continues to do so at the present time.

Today, the 124th Fighter Wing includes two flying squadrons and 12 support units based at Gowen Field. The Idaho Army National Guard is also very active at Gowen Field, and consists of armor, helicopter, and other training units.