Tyndall History Revisited Published Jan. 20, 2010 By Ted Roberts 325th Fighter Wing historian TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- After the closure of the gunnery school, Tyndall Field was a station without a mission. It was passed from command to command, at one point changing twice in the same month. In May 1946, Tyndall was transferred to the Air University. This meant the salvation of Tyndall Field. The Air Tactical School was transferred from Maxwell Field, Ala., to Tyndall. It was at this time Tyndall changed its name. Under the provisions of the National Security Act of 1947, the Army Air Force became the United States Air Force. Accordingly, Tyndall Field became Tyndall Air Force Base. The ATS served as the basic school of the Air University system. Officers received the academic instruction necessary for future duties as squadron commanders or staff officers. The first ATS class began in January 1947 with 430 students. Course work included military management, operational services, supply and maintenance, new developments and tactics. While ATS emphasized general military education, the students maintained their flying proficiency in aircraft assigned to Tyndall.