Every community needs a newspaper, and P.A.A.F. had THE TAILWIND. It was published every week between March 1943 and December 22, 1945. The editor, reporters, cartoonists, and photographers reported news of the world and events on the Base in a most professional format, and received accolades from the editors of LIFE, LOOK, AND LIBERTY magazines for their “finish and polish”. Copies of this publication constitute a valuable historical review of the P.A.A.F. days.

From the pages of TAILWIND we learned that P.A.A.F. was on the U.S.O. circuit. The Bob Hope-Frances Langford-Tony Romano troop arrived for a Christmas show in December, 1944. Rubinoff and his violin, Jimmy Dorsey, Jimmy Palmer, the Morgan Sisters were also among the “stars” who entertained at P.A.A.F. When these shows flew in one of the big hangers would be cleared out, a stage erected at one end, and all Base personnel would crowd in and forget their war duties for an hour or two.

The Base Theater was also a popular gathering place. Not only were current movies shown there on a regular schedule, but smaller U.S.O. circuit shows performed on its stage. Entertainment there was also provided by “local talent” who happened to be stationed on the Base. Special Services Corporal J. Seibel served as director of these shows, and his “All Military Review” and plays shows were popular on the Base. His “Tailwind Review” shows were presented in the Pratt Municipal building and featured not only talent from the surrounding area, but many professional entertainers stationed on Base. These shows were usually presented as benefits for the Base hospital, the Red Cross, War Bond sales or other charities.

The Library was a quiet place to read or study, and the Chapel provided regular services and special religious observances.

The Base gym had a busy recreational schedule of volleyball, basketball and boxing, and the baseball and softball teams benefited from time-to-time when a Semi-pro player was stationed there.

The dance orchestra and band, composed of professional musicians, were always available for special programs, parades, and numerous dances scheduled in the Service Clubs and the community.

The Army Wives organized for socialization as well as service. They set up sewing centers for mending uniforms, celebrated birthdays and planned special events for the children.

The American Red Cross established an office on the Base and assisted in communications between Service men and women and their loved ones. The office provided every type of emergency service, and furnished thousands of dollars to military personnel and their families for emergency transportation. The Red Cross also sponsored a chapter of Gray Ladies which performed auxiliary services to the Base Hospital. After training, consisting of from fifteen to twenty hours of instruction, followed by twenty four hours probationary service, and an examination, the Ladies in their gray uniforms served as hostesses, read, wrote letters, supervised games and craft classes, performed library duties and many other activities to make life easier for the patients.

The Base office worked closely with the South Central Kansas Camp and Hospital Council, a branch of the Red Cross covering all counties adjoining Pratt County. This group furnished eight Day Rooms throughout the Base for recreation and relaxation. Their members were also generous in providing treats and parties for birthdays and special seasonal celebrations.

Every effort was made to make life tolerable and to boost morale during the days of rigorous training for the war of the Pacific.