Waimānalo Military Reservation was established by Presidential Executive Order. Waimānalo Sugar Plantation operated on the property until shortly before WWII.

The first runway was constructed. It can be seen today as the parking lot across from the public campground as you drive into Bellows.

Gen Douglas MacArthur memorialized individuals for their extraordinary heroism by naming flying fields in their honor. 2d Lt Franklin Bellows, 50th Aero Squadron, was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism and his actions during a reconnaissance mission on Sept 13, 1918, near Saint Mihiel, France. The auxiliary flying field at Waimānalo Military Reservation, Territory of Hawaii, was designated as Bellows Field in his honor.

A sneak attack by the Japanese Empire resulted in two American casualties and four wounded service members. Earlier that year Bellows Field became a separate permanent military post under the jurisdiction of the Commanding General, Hawaiian Department, and stationed O-47Bs, P-40s, P-47s (pictured), and B-18 aircraft.

Captured commander of a Japanese miniature sub becomes first POW.

Construction began on the first beach cabins at Bellows. These have since been demolished.

Renamed Bellows Air Force Base following the establishment of the Department of the Air Force in 1947. Mission shifts to recreation, training, communication, and missile defense.

The runways were closed and Bellows Air Base became Bellows Air Force Station.

Nike-Hercules missile launch site run by the Hawaii National Guard is completed. This was later closed in 1969.

The archaeological district of Bellows was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for archaeological significance. Artifacts found here proved that the land was one of the oldest places of human habitation in the Hawaiian Islands.

Over 1,000 acres are transferred to the Marine Corps to develop Marine Corps Training Area Bellows (MCTAB).

Detachment 2, 18th Mission Support Group presently operates Bellows Air Force Station. Much of the Waimānalo community strives to preserve their traditions and heritage to the land. Today’s mission focuses on resilience through lodging and recreation, training, and environmental restoration.