The Army Air Depot began operations at Geiger Field. This was perhaps the largest single industry in Spokane’s history; it employed 10,500 civilians and 7,000 military personnel during WWII. The chamber of commerce had been angling since 1937 for a military depot to boost Spokane’s economy. One repair hangar covered 12 acres. Fort George Wright became the Army Base Headquarters for the entire northwest, and Fairchild Airforce Base was developed. After the war the Army maintained an Air National Guard unit at Geiger Field and phased out of its other operations.