Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport

TRM was established in August 1942, at the beginning of WWII, to be used as an air support command base as part of the Desert Training Center in the Mojave Desert. Its mission was to prepare US Army Ground Forces for Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa. As such, the center was commanded by General George Patton. Known as Thermal Ground Support Base or Thermal Army Air Field, the facility had two 5000-foot runways, and the installation was assigned to the Fourth Air Force. Furthermore, between March 1943 and May 1940, the US Army Air Forces assigned the 76th Reconnaissance Group, along with various liaison and tactical reconnaissance squadrons, to the airfield. The airfield was then reassigned in December 1943 to the California-Arizona maneuver area and the Third Air Force. 1944, the airfield's use as an army airfield was scaled down after most units had deployed overseas.
Following six months of inactivity, the US Navy requested permission to occupy the base on December 2nd, 1944. Known as Naval Air Bases Detachment Thermal, the Navy made extensive improvements to the airfield (as it had been in relatively poor condition at the time). Improvements included the construction of 250 buildings, heating, lighting, telephone, sewer, water, and power systems. A hospital was also built at the facility. In addition, the base provided pilot refresher training, and there were 115 aircraft stationed at the base. On November 1st, 1945, the Navy closed the base down. It was returned to the Army two months later, and on January 23rd, 1947, it was transferred to the War Assets Administration, having been deemed surplus to requirements. The airfield was transferred to civil control between 1947 and 1948. As such, on June 20th, 1947, 39 acres were deeded to the United Date Growers of California. Another 40 acres were deeded to the Coachella Valley County Water District. On December 21st, 1948, the airfield was returned to the County of Riverside for use as a municipal airport. From 1948 to 1998, TRM was called Thermal Airport. At that point, the name was changed to Deserts Resorts Regional Airport to reflect the airport's regional function better. In 2004, the name was again changed, honoring pioneer aviator and Indio resident Jacqueline Cochran.

The airport is located in southeastern Coachella Valley, 23 miles southeast o the central business district of Palm Springs, in Thermal. 

• There are three FBOs at TRM. Desert Jet Center and Ross Aviation are full-service, whereas Thermal Aviation is self-serve. Desert Jet also provides the only FAA Certified Part 145 Repair Station in the Coachella Valley. 
• In late November, TRM hosts an air show showcasing both full-scale aircraft and radio-controlled models flown by members of the Coachella Valley Radio Control Club. 
• The region is known for professional gold and tennis tournaments. These include the Skins Game, the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the Newsweek Cup, the Evert Cup, and more. It is also known for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, which takes place every April.