In 1941 the Civil Aeronautics Authority built two 4,000-ft. asphalt runways under Congress's National Defense Program. With the start of World War II, the Army Air Forces took an interest in the site entering negotiations with Ware County and Waycross to lease 3,000 acres that included the airport. An agreement was reached calling for a lease fee of $1 per year. The Army let the first construction contracts on June 23, 1942. The project specified the lengthening of the two existing run¬ways to 5,000 ft. and adding a third 5,000-ft. runway. Included was a cantonment area to accommodate four tactical squadrons and three squadrons of service troops plus a mobilization type hospital with 118 beds. In August, the Army enlarged the cantonment area by providing adequate housing for two more service squadrons plus a fire station, motor repair building, and two quartermaster warehouses.