The former Walker Air Force Base, also known as Roswell Army Air Field, consists of approximately 5,072 acres. The site was deactivated on 1 July 1967 and declared excess some 5,055 acres to the General Services Administration (GSA) and the lease on 17.2 acres. The property was transferred to the city of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University, Roswell Independent School, and the State of New Mexico Health (Rehabilitation) Hospital. The transfer included a valid recapture clause of the airport property. Several condition were included in the transfer of this property which insures the continued use of indenture releasing the U.S. Government from restoration liability. The city leased some of the land to private individuals and industries. The site was acquired in 1941 for the purpose of establishing a Military Flying Training Center and Bombardier School. Although there was a bombing target adjacent to the runway, the only items dropped from an aircraft were bags of sand or flour. The practice bombing and gunnery ranges were due south of the air field and on Matagorda Island. The 509th Wing, training on the B-29 aircraft, dropped the first special weapon on Japan. The Army Air Corps utilized the airfield until June 1949, when it was transferred to the Department of the Air Force, thereafter known as Walker Air Force Base.