Orlando Executive Airport ( IATA : ORL , ICAO : KORL , FAA LID : ORL ) is a public airport three miles (6 km) east of downtown Orlando , in Orange County , Florida . It is owned and operated by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) and serves general aviation .
71-702: Pinecastle or Pine Castle may refer to: McCoy Air Force Base (previously Pinecastle Army Airfield), a former United States Air Force base Naval Air Station DeLand (previously Pinecastle Electronic Warfare and Bombing Range), a United States Naval Air Station located in DeLand, Florida from 1942–1946 Pine Castle, Florida , a census-designated place and unincorporated area in Orange County, Florida, United States Pinecastle Records , an American record label which specializes in bluegrass music Topics referred to by
142-1287: A Strategic Air Command B-52 base about eight miles to the south, to a civil-military airport with an airline terminal on undeveloped land on the east side of the base and military operations on the west side. In 1961 the airport was renamed Herndon Airport after former Orlando city engineer "Pat" Herndon, the change being in preparation for commencing jet airline flights to the new Orlando Jetport at McCoy at McCoy AFB , known today as Orlando International Airport . In 1965 three airlines were serving Herndon Airport: Delta Air Lines , Eastern Air Lines and National Airlines . Delta flew Douglas DC-6 and Douglas DC-7 propliners on nonstop flights to Atlanta with direct service to Chicago. Eastern and National operated Lockheed L-188 Electra turboprops with National flying direct service to New York City, Boston, Washington D.C., Norfolk, Charleston, SC, Savannah, Jacksonville, FL and Miami, and Eastern operating nonstop and direct flights to Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, FL and Tallahassee. Eastern Convair 440 prop aircraft also stopped at ORL with local service being flown to several destinations in Florida. By 1966, all three airlines had switched to operating their flights from
213-465: A $ 100 million military construction (MILCON) program at the World War II facility, to include lengthening the existing north–south runway and constructing a parallel north–south runway, both over 12,000 feet in length. Actual flight training operations, however, did not begin until early 1952. The 3540th Flying Training Wing (later redesignated the 4240th Flying Training Wing ) was activated at
284-528: A larger number of bases, thus making it more difficult for the Soviet Union to knock out the entire fleet with a surprise first strike. All of the Strategic Wings had one squadron of B-52s, containing 15 aircraft, and most also had a squadron of fifteen KC-135 tanker aircraft. Half of the bombers and tankers were maintained on fifteen-minute alert, fully fueled, armed, and ready for combat, while
355-402: A nonstop flight to Atlanta; no other nonstops left the state. The nonstops to Washington that began in 1959 were probably the longest ORL ever had. The August 1955 diagram shows Runway 17 4,480 ft (1,370 m) along the west side of the field, Runway 18 5,071 ft (1,546 m), Runway 4 5,422 ft (1,653 m), Runway 10R 5,313 ft (1,619 m) (still called 10R, though 10L
426-464: A practice demonstration during the annual Strategic Air Command Bombing Navigation and Reconnaissance Competition at Pinecastle Air Force Base , Florida. McCoy was the aircraft commander during the flight and the mishap aircraft was one of two at Pinecastle that had been modified to carry the GAM-63 RASCAL air-to-surface missile. At the time of his death, McCoy was serving as the commander of
497-415: A routine training mission. The aircraft was not carrying any weapons. The aircraft immediately attempted to return to the base, but crashed 3,220 feet (980 m) short of Runway 18R in a civilian residential area immediately north of the airfield, destroying or damaging eight homes. The crew of 7 airmen and a 10-year-old boy on the ground were killed. An Orange County, Florida historical marker honoring
568-733: A training facility and renamed it the Orlando Army Air Base . For the next six years, the airport remained under military control. In June 1941, the Army Air Corps became the United States Army Air Forces and beginning in late 1941 through mid-1943, Orlando Army Air Base was used by I Bomber Command and later by units of the Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command (AAFAC) to fly antisubmarine patrols along both
639-486: Is a general aviation and corporate aviation airport. Its proximity to the State Road 408 East-West Expressway and downtown Orlando makes it a popular airport. The airport is still the "minor" airport of Orlando, Florida, as Orlando International Airport is the airport for commercial airline flights, drawing more passengers every year. The airport has been used for special air industry events and showcases including
710-399: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages McCoy Air Force Base McCoy AFB (1940–1947, 1951–1975) is a former U.S. Air Force installation located 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Orlando, Florida . It was a training base during World War II . From 1951 to 1975, it was a frontline Strategic Air Command (SAC) base during
781-619: Is the operating base for the Aviation Section of AdventHealth and the Orange County Sheriff's Office . Opened in 1928 as the Orlando Municipal Airport , the airport was the first commercial airport in central Florida. The United States Postal Service started airmail service to Orlando the following year. The United States Army Air Corps took control of the airport in 1940 for use as
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#1732793137198852-606: Is uncertain whether the chemical warfare materials used in these tests were stored at Pinecastle Army Airfield or transported from the Orlando Toxic Gas and Decontamination Yard at Orlando AAB a few hours before a practice bombing run. With the drawdown and closure of wartime airfields after the German capitulation in May 1945, units from other bases in Florida were consolidated at Pinecastle AAF. On 1 July 1945, jurisdiction of
923-445: The 100th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Davis-Monthan AFB , Arizona , would continue to maintain a permanent operating location at McCoy AFB for U-2 detachment operations monitoring Cuba through 1973, when it relocated to nearby Patrick AFB . In later years, these operations would occasionally be augmented by SR-71 detachments from the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Beale AFB , California. SAC's Strategic Wing concept
994-476: The 42d Air Division , was transferred from Blytheville Air Force Base , Arkansas and headquartered at McCoy AFB. In September 1973, with the force reduction-directed closure of McCoy AFB in progress, the air division headquarters was transferred back to Blytheville (later renamed Eaker AFB ). On 31 March 1972, a 306th Bombardment Wing B-52 D, AF Serial Number 56-0625, sustained multiple engine failures and an engine pod fire shortly after takeoff from McCoy AFB on
1065-642: The Air Force Cross , the U.S. Air Force's second highest decoration for valor after the Medal of Honor , which was awarded to him posthumously. The Cuban missile confrontation was ultimately resolved and the air strikes, which would have been followed by an invasion of Cuba, were never launched. However, all of the aforementioned squadrons and detachments except one remained at McCoy until the end of November 1962. The 4080th at Laughlin AFB and its successor unit,
1136-467: The Cold War and Vietnam War . It was Orlando's biggest employer and economic backbone prior to the opening of Walt Disney World in 1971. With McCoy's closure as an active USAF facility in 1975, the site was redeveloped and is known today as Orlando International Airport , which continues to carry the base's original FAA LID airport code of MCO (i.e., McCoy) and ICAO airport code of KMCO. Over
1207-682: The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention which was held there in 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, and 2022. Orlando Executive Airport served as the receiving site for the majority of Special Olympic Athletes during the largest non-military human airlift in the US. The airport has also been used since the 1990s as a landing site and staging site by Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) for Marine One and other supporting HMX-1 helicopter operations during Presidential visits to Orlando. All Presidential visits to
1278-590: The Paris Peace Accords ended American involvement in the conflict. From 1971 through 1973 other training activities at McCoy AFB included KC-135Q instruction by the 306 ARS and KC-135A instruction by the 32d Air Refueling Squadron (32 ARS). Whereas KC-135A aircraft typically carried JP-4 jet fuel, KC-135Q aircraft were specifically modified and equipped to offload JP-7 fuel and supported worldwide in-flight refueling requirements for USAF SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft. In February 1970, following
1349-610: The Royal Air Force , Lieutenant Colonel Charles Joyce, and Major Vernon Stuff during preparations for the event. Despite this tragedy, the 321st Bomb Wing, under the direction of its new commander, Colonel Robert W. Strong, Jr., won the top honors of the meet, including the coveted Fairchild and McKay trophies, distinguishing the 321st as the top B-47 Wing in SAC. Another distinguished unit assigned to Pinecastle AFB in November 1957
1420-592: The United States Army Air Corps . However, with the expansion of Orlando AAB following establishment of the Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics (AAFSAT) in 1942, the new civilian airport was also leased by the now-renamed U.S. Army Air Forces , initially being designated as Orlando Army Air Field #2 and becoming a sub-base of Orlando AAB. On 1 January 1943, it was renamed as Pinecastle Army Airfield . Pinecastle AAF
1491-710: The VB-6 Felix infrared heat seeking and VB-3 Razon radio-controlled gliding bombs were also carried out. Beginning in January 1946, Bell Aircraft Corporation 's chief test pilot Jack Woolams tested the X-1 supersonic aircraft , originally designated the XS-1, at the airfield because of the area's then-remote location and 10,000-foot runway. In March 1946, the X-1 program was relocated to Muroc Army Air Field , California. The move
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#17327931371981562-524: The 1960s and 1970s, the 306th and McCoy AFB was a frequent host for the annual Strategic Air Command Bombing and Navigation Competition between SAC wings operating B-52 , FB-111 and KC-135 aircraft from throughout the Strategic Air Command, competing for the prestigious Fairchild Trophy. Vulcan B.2 bombers and Victor K.2 tankers from the Royal Air Force ( RAF ) Strike Command would also travel to McCoy AFB from their home bases in
1633-572: The 306 BW received another Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for this "double-duty" for combat operations in Southeast Asia while maintaining an alert status for SAC. In 1971, the 919 ARS was inactivated and its personnel and aircraft merged into the 306th Air Refueling Squadron (306 ARS). In 1972, the 306 BW would be part of the heavy bombing raids Linebacker I and Linebacker II over North Vietnam . The 306 BW returned to McCoy AFB from its final Southeast Asia deployment in early 1973 after
1704-510: The 321st Bomb Wing began phasing out its operations in June 1961 and was inactivated in October 1961. On 1 July 1961, the 321st was replaced by the 4047th Strategic Wing (Heavy), which was designated and organized under its first commander, Col Francis S. Holmes, Jr. The 4047th was part of SAC's "Strategic Wing" concept, which was to disperse its medium and heavy bombers and tanker aircraft over
1775-580: The 321st Bombardment Wing, the host wing of Pinecastle AFB. A hugely popular figure in Central Florida, Colonel McCoy was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in a funeral that included a flyover of multiple B-47s . The facility originally was built in 1940 as a replacement civilian airport after the takeover and conversion of the Orlando Municipal Airport (present day Orlando Executive Airport ) to Orlando Army Air Base by
1846-503: The 966th also supported Strategic Air Command and Tactical Air Command (TAC) operations, assisted U.S. Navy P-2 Neptune and P-3 Orion aircraft in anti-submarine and maritime surveillance patrols, and developed weather information. It also furnished airborne radar surveillance and technical control in support of global air defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff contingency operations. 966th aircrews also frequently deployed to distant operational locations including Southeast Asia. The squadron
1917-511: The B-47 and a lack of equipment prevented training. In addition, the base was inadequate at the time with regards to training facilities. The first B-47 class arrived at the base on 6 November 1952 and the first B-47 crew training program started a few weeks later when Class 53-6A entered combat crew training on 22 December 1952. The first trained B-47 crews graduated from training during the first half of 1953. On 1 January 1954, ATC transferred both
1988-529: The B-47 crew training mission at Pinecastle AFB and jurisdiction of the base to the Strategic Air Command . On 15 December 1953, the 321st Bombardment Wing (Medium) was activated at Pinecastle AFB, absorbing all B-47 bombers and KC-97 tankers at the base. The B-47 combat crew training mission was also transferred from ATC to SAC. Colonel Michael N.W. McCoy, previously commander of the 306th Bombardment Wing at MacDill Air Force Base , Florida,
2059-693: The Orlando Jetport at McCoy, no longer serving Herndon. In 1976 the City of Orlando ceded control of the airport and transferred the property, its former City of Orlando Aviation Department, and all operational responsibilities to the newly established Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), chartered by the Florida State Legislature to operate and manage all publicly owned airports in Orange County, Florida . GOAA renamed
2130-796: The Orlando area are on Air Force One , which lands at Orlando International Airport (MCO). Executive Airport covers 967 acres (391 ha ) at an elevation of 113 feet (34 m). It has two asphalt runways : 7/25 is 6,004 by 150 feet (1,830 x 46 m) and 13/31 is 4,625 by 100 feet (1,410 x 30 m). In the year ending December 31, 2020 the airport had 122,835 aircraft operations, an average of 337 per day: 95% general aviation , 5% air taxi and less than 1% military. In March 2022, there were 215 aircraft based at this airport: 132 single-engine, 42 multi-engine, 33 jet and 8 helicopter . The airport has two fixed-base operators (Atlantic Aviation and Sheltair Air Services), serves private and corporate aircraft and
2201-558: The United Kingdom to participate in this multi-week competition. In 1966, the 306 BW began preparing and training for deployment to the Western Pacific in support of Projects Arc Light & Young Tiger. In September 1966, the wing deployed to Andersen AFB , Guam and Kadena Air Base , Okinawa. Its mission while in the Western Pacific was to "...Conduct bombing raids in support of US and allied ground forces fighting in
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2272-568: The Vietnamese War." Later, the wing also operated from U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield , Thailand as U.S. forces built up in the Vietnam theater. In 1967, the 919th Air Refueling Squadron (919 ARS) was also reassigned to the 306th Bomb Wing. When not forward deployed for operations over Vietnam, the 306th continued to operate out of McCoy AFB for both training evolutions and in its stateside strategic nuclear alert role. In January 1968,
2343-512: The air terminal built in 1951 was inadequate to accommodate the increasing number of passengers. McCoy Air Force Base, with its two 12,000-foot runways, was more than capable of safely accommodating the passenger jets. In 1962 an agreement was worked out between the Air Force and the City of Orlando for the joint-use of one of the runways (18L/36R) for airline operations, and the purchase of two former AGM-28 Hound Dog missile storage hangars in
2414-479: The airport Orlando Executive Airport in 1982, and in 1998 to its present name of Executive Airport. In 1992, in cooperation with the City of Orlando , GOAA constructed Colonel Joe Kittinger Park in the southwest corner of the airport. Named in honor of noted local aviator, Colonel Joe Kittinger Jr. , USAF (Ret) by the City of Orlando, the aviation-themed park overlooks the approach end of ORL's Runway 7. The park
2485-491: The assets and personnel of the 4047th Strategic Wing. With this standup of the 306 BW, the 4074th Strategic Wing was inactivated. . In addition to its "host wing" responsibilities for operating and maintaining the installation, the 306th's primary operational mission at McCoy AFB was deterring nuclear attack on the United States by maintaining constant ground alert and flying frequent cycles of airborne alert. During
2556-411: The base for the purpose of training personnel in Strategic Air Command 's (SAC) new Boeing B-47 Stratojet medium jet bomber. Eighty-four B-47s were allocated for the training, and SAC transferred thirty experienced aircraft commanders to Pinecastle to serve as instructors. According to the basic plan, ATC would train forty-nine crews by the end of 1952. But from the beginning, mechanical problems with
2627-532: The course of its existence the installation had several names, including Orlando Army Air Field #2 , Pinecastle Army Airfield , and Pinecastle Air Force Base . McCoy Air Force Base was named for Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy (born 1905) on 7 May 1958. Col McCoy was killed on 9 October 1957 in the crash of a B-47 Stratojet (DB-47B-35-BW) , AF Serial No. 51-2177 , of the 447th Bombardment Squadron, 321st Bombardment Wing , which suffered wing failure northwest of downtown Orlando, Florida while taking part in
2698-823: The duration of the crisis. On 21 October, Attorney General of the United States Robert F. Kennedy ; United States Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara ; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Maxwell Taylor , USA; and General Walter C. Sweeney, Jr. , USAF met with President John F. Kennedy concerning a military contingency plan regarding this development. The 4080th's operating location at McCoy AFB, designated OL-X, operated two U-2 aircraft and flew at least 82 missions over Cuba from McCoy AFB from 22 October – 6 December 1962. General Sweeney, as Commander of Tactical Air Command (TAC), proposed an operational plan which first called for an air attack on
2769-758: The east coast as well as over the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Straits , augmenting U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard aircraft in that capacity. With the lessening of the U-boat threat, Orlando AAB became the home of the Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics (AAFSAT) and subsequently as the Army Air Forces Tactical Center (AAFTC). In 1943 the AAFSAT began training units in night fighter operations. The 481st Night Fighter Group
2840-609: The field was transferred to Air Proving Ground Command at Eglin Field , Florida. The 901st AAFBU was inactivated and replaced by the 621st Base Unit. In August 1945, under the Proving Ground Command (PGC), the base was used for testing of the B-32 Dominator bomber, although operations in 1945 at the field were severely curtailed due to personnel shortages caused by post-war demobilization. Weapons tests of
2911-492: The flight crew was placed adjacent to the crash site in 2012. In April 1973, following the cease fire agreement with North Vietnam , the return of all American prisoners of war, and anticipated reduced defense budgets, the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) announced the closure of more than forty (40) bases as part of a post-Vietnam reduction in force (RIF). Orlando Executive Airport Orlando Executive Airport
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2982-491: The improved civil airport at McCoy, the new wide-body Boeing 747 , Douglas DC-10 , and Lockheed L-1011 TriStar airliners began scheduled service. On 14 October 1962, a Lockheed U-2 from the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Laughlin Air Force Base , Texas piloted by Major Richard S. Heyser , USAF, launched from Edwards AFB , California for a high altitude reconnaissance flight over Cuba . Arriving over
3053-569: The installation was demolished and residential and commercial properties developed on the site, renamed Baldwin Park . In 1946 passenger flights on National Airlines and Eastern Air Lines began at the now civil Orlando Municipal Airport. Five years later the airport built its main terminal, a two-story structure with a built-in control tower ; this terminal building stood until late 1999. The April 1957 Official Airline Guide shows 20 weekday departures: 14 Eastern and 6 National. Eastern Air Lines had
3124-586: The island an hour after sunrise, Heyser photographed the Soviet military installing nuclear armed SS-4 medium range and SS-5 intermediate range ballistic missiles in Cuba, thereby precipitating the Cuban Missile Crisis . Heyser concluded this flight at McCoy AFB and the 4080th subsequently established a U-2 operating location at McCoy AFB , launching and recovering numerous flights over Cuba for
3195-528: The new Orlando-McCoy Jetport. With the opening of Walt Disney World in 1971, the amount of air traffic increased substantially, especially with Boeing 727 , Boeing 737 and Douglas DC-9 aircraft. As a result, the agreement with the Air Force was amended to allow for an expansion of the civil airport facilities. Additional acreage was provided to Orlando east of the airfield in 1972 and two modern airport terminals were constructed between 1978 and 1981, along with improved parking and other infrastructure. With
3266-509: The newest of one of three Navy enlisted recruit training centers (boot camps) and as home to various technical training schools, to include the Naval Nuclear Power School for officer and enlisted personnel. The 1993 Base Realignment and Closure Commission directed that NTC Orlando be closed no later than 1 October 1999. The base property was sold to the City of Orlando, which in turn sold it to private developers. Most of
3337-411: The northeast corner of the installation by the city for conversion into a passenger air terminal for use by Delta , Eastern , and National Airlines . The Orlando-McCoy Jetport opened in 1964, with Delta Air Lines being the first airline to offer jet passenger service to the new Orlando-McCoy Jetport with Delta's DC-8 Fanjet aircraft. By 1968, all airline operations had moved from Herndon Airport to
3408-469: The problems of keeping the plane in sight amid Florida's frequent clouds also added two more votes in favor of the Army Air Force's decision to go to Muroc. This aircraft, later flown by then-Captain ( Brigadier General , USAF , Retired) Chuck Yeager , would be the first aircraft in history to successfully exceed the speed of sound in level flight. With the X-1 project transferred, Pinecastle AAF
3479-409: The remainder were used for training in bombardment missions and air refueling operations. In August 1961, the first B-52D Stratofortresses were assigned to the new wing, and on 1 September 1961 the 347th Bombardment Squadron was reassigned from Westover AFB , Massachusetts to McCoy AFB as the wing's operational flying squadron for the heavy bombers. On 15 September, the 321st Combat Support Group
3550-416: The same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Pinecastle . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pinecastle&oldid=957373442 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description
3621-481: The squadron flew the propeller-driven EC-121 Warning Star radar surveillance aircraft in its EC-121D and EC-121Q variants. The squadron changed its parent wing on 1 May 1963, coming under the 552nd Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing , headquartered at McClellan AFB , California. The mission of the 966th Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron covered a broad spectrum of responsibilities. As an Air Defense Command ,(later Aerospace Defense Command ) (ADC) unit,
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#17327931371983692-462: The summer of 1956 when the 19th Bomb Wing moved to Homestead Air Force Base , Florida. In November 1957, the base was host to the medium and heavy bombers participating in the annual Strategic Air Command Bombing Navigation and Reconnaissance Competition. During the competition, a B-47 aircraft mishap north of downtown Orlando took the lives of Colonel McCoy, Group Captain John Woodroffe of
3763-468: The surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites in the vicinity of known medium range (MRBM) and intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) launchers by eight fighter-bombers per SAM site. Concurrently, each of the Cuban MiG airfields thought to be protecting MRBM/IRBM sites were to be struck by at least twelve fighters. Following the air strikes on SAM sites and MiG fighter airfields, each MRBM and IRBM launch site
3834-549: The training mission, beginning in 1943, Pinecastle AAF was used as the AAFSAT Technical Center, operating an Air Force General Maintenance and Supply Depot facility. On 1 June 1944, the 901st Army Air Forces Base Unit (Heavy Bombardment), took over the bomber training mission with two squadrons, "G" and "H". Records indicate that aircraft from Pinecastle AAF performed test bombing of chemical munitions at one of Pinecastle's numerous bombing and gunnery ranges. It
3905-581: The transfer of Kindley AFB , Bermuda to the United States Navy and its redesignation as NAS Bermuda , McCoy AFB briefly became home to the 55th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (55 ARRS) and its HC-130 Hercules aircraft. Assigned to Military Airlift Command (MAC) and its subordinate sub-command, the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service , the squadron relocated from McCoy AFB to Eglin AFB , Florida in June 1971. In 1971,
3976-413: Was a logistics issue as much as anything, as Pinecastle was deemed not suitable for the X-1 project. A move to the remote California desert ensured the X-1 project team could maintain secrecy, an important issue considering the project was highly classified at the time. In addition, Muroc had an expansive landing area, thanks to the surrounding dry lakebeds, and better visibility. The X-1's high sink rate and
4047-447: Was aimed to support the training mission of Orlando AAB. Two bomb squadrons of the 9th Bombardment Group at Orlando AAB, the 5th , equipped with B-24 Liberators and the 99th , with B-25 Mitchells , B-26 Marauders and B-17 Flying Fortresses , operated from Pinecastle during the war. The squadrons had the mission of training future combat aircrews for a wide variety of bombing missions in advanced combat techniques. In addition to
4118-404: Was also organized and on that same date Colonel William G. Walker, Jr., assumed command of the 4047th Strategic Wing . The 966th Airborne Early Warning & Control Squadron was activated on 18 December 1961 and was organized two months later at McCoy AFB as a geographically separated unit (GSU) of the 551st Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing at Otis AFB , Massachusetts. While at McCoy,
4189-405: Was appointed commander of the 321st Bombardment Wing on 24 May 1954, having earned the unofficial distinction of being the "dean" of the Strategic Air Command's B-47 Stratojet aircraft commanders. In July 1954, the 19th Bombardment Wing joined the 321st at Pinecastle AFB and the two units came under the control of the 813th Strategic Aerospace Division . The 813th was subsequently inactivated in
4260-551: Was closed and the entire site was transferred to the City of Orlando in 1947 with a reversal clause for future military use if deemed to be necessary for national defense purposes. As a result of the outbreak of the Korean War , the United States Air Force 's Air Training Command (ATC) reacquired and reactivated the facility, renaming it Pinecastle Air Force Base on 1 September 1951. ATC immediately began
4331-455: Was closed) and Runway 13 5,568 ft (1,697 m). By the early 1960s development around the airport had made further expansion unlikely. The airport's 6000 foot main runway, Runway 7/25, wasn't long enough for early jet airliners such as the Boeing 707 , Douglas DC-8 and Convair 880 , so the city and Orange County governments lobbied the U.S. Air Force to convert McCoy Air Force Base ,
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#17327931371984402-407: Was engaged by a Soviet-manned SA-2 Guideline surface-to-air missile site in the vicinity of Banes, Cuba . Hit by two of three SA-2 missiles fired, the aircraft was shot down over Cuba, killing Major Anderson. A week following the shoot down, Major Anderson's remains were turned over to a United Nations representative and returned to the United States. Major Anderson became the first recipient of
4473-647: Was established, equipped with the Douglas P-70 , a variation of the A-20 Havoc attack aircraft used for training. Squadrons attached to the group in 1943 and 1944 were the 348th, 349th, 420th, 423d, 425th, 426th and 427th Night Fighter Squadrons, which, after completion of training, were sent overseas to either the Pacific or European Theaters for combat. In contrast, the Orlando Fighter Wing
4544-435: Was inactivated on 31 December 1969, although detachments from other EC-121 squadrons would continue to operate at McCoy AFB throughout the early 1970s. In the early 1960s, the then-Orlando Herndon Airport began to start providing commercial jet service. However, its World War II era 6,000-foot runways were dangerously short to handle the new Boeing 707 , Convair 880 and Douglas DC-8 commercial passenger jets. In addition,
4615-424: Was phased out in early 1963. In most cases, the aircraft and crews remained at the same base, but the wing (and its bomb squadron) were given new designations. On 1 April 1963, the 306th Bombardment Wing (306 BW), a B-47 Stratojet unit originally scheduled for inactivation, moved on paper from MacDill AFB , Florida to McCoy AFB, converting to a B-52D Stratofortress and KC-135A Stratotanker wing by absorbing
4686-599: Was renamed McCoy Air Force Base in memory of the late Colonel Michael N. W. McCoy. Formal dedication ceremonies were held on 21 May 1958 in conjunction with a mammoth base open house, during which an estimated 30,000 Floridians attended. In the summer of 1961, a complete reorganization of the base began in order to convert the base from the B-47 Stratojet medium jet bomber to the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress heavy bomber. As part of this program,
4757-772: Was renamed Orlando Air Force Base , serving as a technical training facility for the Air Training Command , a ground-launched tactical missile training facility for the Tactical Air Command , and as a headquarters installation for the Military Air Transport Service (later Military Airlift Command ) and the Air Rescue Service . In 1968, Orlando AFB was transferred to the United States Navy and renamed Naval Training Center Orlando . This installation served as
4828-414: Was stationed at the base. In 1946 the airfield was released to the City of Orlando , while the military support facilities north and northeast of the airport remained under U.S. Army Air Forces control as a non-flying administrative and technical training installation still named Orlando Army Air Base. With the establishment of the United States Air Force as a separate service in 1947, this installation
4899-529: Was temporarily closed in 2008 and partially demolished for an expansion project of the State Road 408 East-West Expressway, sacrificing part of the park's previous facilities and acreage for a storm water retention area. The park, albeit reduced in size, reopened in March 2011. In 2014, GOAA and City of Orlando officials approved inclusion in the park of a demilitarized F-4D Phantom II jet fighter on loan from
4970-603: Was the Air Defense Command 's 76th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (76 FIS). A descendant of the famous World War II " Flying Tigers ," the 76 FIS was commanded by Major Morris F. Wilson and flew the F-89H "Scorpion" all-weather fighter-interceptor. One of the last squadrons to fly the Scorpion, the 76 FIS was transferred from McCoy to Westover AFB , Massachusetts on 1 February 1961. On 7 May 1958, Pinecastle AFB
5041-656: Was to be attacked by at least twelve aircraft. General Sweeney's plan was accepted and, additionally, Cuban Ilyushin Il-28 "Beagle" medium bomber airfields were added to the target list. To support this plan, the USAF deployed the following TAC units to McCoy AFB while simultaneously dispersing the 4047th Strategic Wing's B-52 and KC-135 aircraft: On the morning of 27 October, a U-2 piloted by Major Rudolf Anderson , Jr., USAF, departed McCoy AFB on yet another Cuban overflight mission. A few hours into his mission, Anderson's aircraft
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